- Virtuousness
- Virtuous Vir"tu*ous (?; 135), a. [OE. vertuous, OF. vertuos,
vertuous, F. vertueux, fr. L. Virtuous. See {Virtue}, and cf.
{Virtuoso}.]
1. Possessing or exhibiting virtue. Specifically:
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(a) Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous;
valiant; brave. [Obs.]
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Old Priam's son, amongst them all, was chiefly virtuous. --Chapman. [1913 Webster] (b) Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative; efficacious; potent. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Lifting up his virtuous staff on high, He smote the sea, which calm['e]d was with speed. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
Every virtuous plant and healing herb. --Milton. [1913 Webster] (c) Having moral excellence; characterized by morality; upright; righteous; pure; as, a virtuous action. [1913 Webster]
The virtuous mind that ever walks attended By a strong siding champion, conscience. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. Chaste; pure; -- applied especially to women. [1913 Webster]
Mistress Ford . . . the virtuous creature, that hath the jealous fool to her husband. --Shak. [1913 Webster] -- {Vir"tu*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Vir"tu*ous*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.