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Webster 1913 Edition


Virtuous

Vir′tu-ous

(?; 135)
,
Adj.
[OE.
vertuous
, OF.
vertuos
,
vertuous
, F.
vertueux
, fr. L.
Virtuous
. See
Virtue
, and cf.
Virtuoso
.]
1.
Possessing or exhibiting virtue.
Specifically: –
(a)
Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous; valiant; brave.
[Obs.]
Old Priam’s son, amongst them all, was chiefly
virtuous
.
Chapman.
(b)
Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative; efficacious; potent.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Lifting up his
virtuous
staff on high,
He smote the sea, which calméd was with speed.
Spenser.
Every
virtuous
plant and healing herb.
Milton.
(c)
Having moral excellence; characterized by morality; upright; righteous; pure;
as, a
virtuous
action
.
The
virtuous
mind that ever walks attended
By a strong siding champion, conscience.
Milton.
2.
Chaste; pure; – applied especially to women.
Mistress Ford . . . the
virtuous
creature, that hath the jealous fool to her husband.
Shakespeare
Vir′tu-ous-ly
,
adv.
Vir′tu-ous-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Virtuous

VIR'TUOUS

, a.
1.
Morally good; acting in conformity to the moral law; practicing the moral duties, and abstaining from vice; as a virtuous man.
2.
Being in conformity to the moral or divine law; as a virtuous action; a virtuous life.
The mere performance of virtuous actions does not denominate an agent virtuous.
3.
Chaste; applied to women.
4.
Efficacious by inherent qualities; as virtuous herbs; virtuous drugs. [Not in use.]
5.
Having great or powerful properties; as virtuous steel; a virtuous staff; a virtuous ring. [Not in use.]
6.
Having medicinal qualities. [Not used.]

Definition 2024


virtuous

virtuous

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

virtuous (comparative more virtuous, superlative most virtuous)

  1. Full of virtue, having excellent moral character.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

External links

  • virtuous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • virtuous in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911