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| vir·tue [ vúrchoo ] (plural vir·tues) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. goodness: the quality of being morally good or righteous
  a paragon of virtue
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2. good quality: a quality that is morally good
Patience is a virtue.
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3. admirable quality: a quality that is good or admirable, but not necessarily in terms of morality
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4. christianity cardinal or theological morality: a cardinal virtue, e.g. justice or moderation, or theological virtue, e.g. hope or charity
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5. chastity: the moral quality of being chaste, especially in a woman
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6. worth: the worth, advantage, or beneficial quality of something
knew the virtue of thrift
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7. christianity angel of fifth highest order: in the traditional Christian hierarchy, an angel of the fifth of the nine orders of angels
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| [12th century. Via Old French vertu< Latin virtus "manliness, excellence, worth" < vir "man, husband"] |
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| vir·tue·less adjective |
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by virtue of because of, through the power of, or by the authority of something
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make a virtue of necessity to do something with good grace, when you are obligated to do it anyway
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