Category:Virtuous

Vir"tu*ous, a. Etym: [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. Shak. -- vir"tu*ous*ly, adv. -- vir"tu*ous*ness, n.