online medical dictionary | definition of virtuous

1. Possessing or exhibiting virtue. Specifically:

Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous; valiant; brave. "Old Priam's son, amongst them all, was chiefly virtuous." (Chapman)

Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative; efficacious; potent. "Lifting up his virtuous staff on high, He smote the sea, which calmed was with speed." (Spenser) "Every virtuous plant and healing herb." (Milton)

Having moral excellence; characterised 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"tuously, Vir"tuousness.

Origin: OE. Vertuous, OF. Vertuos, vertuous, F. Vertueux, fr. L. Virtuous. See Virtue, and cf. Virtuoso.

(01 Mar 1998)