Virtue
/ˈvɜːr.tʃuː/noun
Behavior showing high moral standards.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, 'virtus' encompassed not just moral excellence but also martial valor, tying virtue to the very essence of masculinity and strength.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wer-
“To man, to be strong or to be a man.”
Latin
Latin
virtus
“Strength, manliness, valor, excellence.”
Old French
Old French
vertu
“Moral excellence, power, quality.”
Middle English
Middle English
virtue
“Moral goodness, power, or efficacy.”
Modern English
English
virtue
“Conformity to a standard of right; a particular moral excellence.”