Webster's English Dictionary

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virtue

vir.tue or in virtue of \'v*r-(.)chu:, -ch*-w\ n [ME virtu, fr. OF, fr. L 
   virtut-, virtus strength, manliness,] virtue, fr. vir man - more at VIRILE 
   1a: conformity to a standard of right : MORALITY  1b: a particular moral 
   excellence  cap  2: an angel of the fifth highest rank  3: a beneficial 
   quality or power of a thing  4: manly strength or courage : VALOR  5: a 
   commendable quality or trait : MERIT  6: a capacity to act : POTENCY  7: 
   chastity esp. in a woman  : through the force of : by authority of  - by 
   virtue of