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: --
(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.
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: --
(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.
