adv. Also 5 vertualliche, 5, 7 vertually. [f. VIRTUAL a. + -LY2. Cf. F. virtuellement, It., Sp., Pg. virtualmente.]
1. In respect of essence or effect, apart from actual form or specific manner; as far as essential qualities or facts are concerned.
Passing into next by a slight weakening of the sense, the idea of simple equivalence becoming more prominent than that of essential qualities.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, I. lxxxvii. (1869), 49. Serteyn, quod she, localliche j vnderstonde not, but oother weys; vertualliche j vnderstonde summe, ymaginatyfliche summe.
1495. Trevisa’s Barth. De P. R., VIII. i. S viij b/1. The vertue of god made and ordeyned primordyall matere in ye whiche as it were in a massy thynge the foure elementes were vertually and not dystyngued in tale and nombre as they arne now.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, I. xxiv. 40. But these and many more voluminous engines (for the ramme alone had an hundred men to manage it) are now virtually epitomized in the cannon.
1673. [R. Leigh], Transp. Reh., 22. He defeated … the other ten nations virtually and inclusively.
1690. C. Nesse, O. & N. Test., I. 206. All the lesser pearls … are contain’d vertually in this one diamond.
a. 1768. Secker, Serm. (1770), III. xvi. 378. If the Jews had prevailed, they would have imagined their Success a full Proof, that the Messiah was yet virtually, though not corporally, amongst them.
b. In effect, though not formally or explicitly; practically; to all intents; as good as.
a. 1600. Hooker, Disc. Justification (1612), 32. No man is ignorant of their first principles, which doe vertually containe whatsoever by naturall meanes, is, or can be knowne.
a. 1626. Bp. Andrewes, Serm. (1856), I. 237. That was but virtually as good as born, this actually born indeed.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., III. iv. 160. Continue correspondencie with … some Professour or Secretary, who virtually is the whole University, or State.
1651. Baxter, Inf. Bapt., 92. It is sufficient that the parent be virtually and dispositively at present a believer.
a. 1718. Prior, Alma, II. 183. By the Peepholes in his Crest, Is it not virtually confest That there his Eye took distant Aim.
1748. Hartley, Observ. Man, II. ii. § 34. 170. As far as this is virtually included in the Precepts for loving God above all and our Neighbour as ourselves.
1791. Burke, App. Whigs, Wks. 1842, I. 497. It is virtually a begging of the question.
1817. W. Selwyn, Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4), II. 1152. The seamen may sue … the owners, as the persons virtually contracting with them through the agency of the master.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. ii. 160. The cause was virtually transferred to Rome, where Henry … was unlikely to consent to plead.
1878. Lecky, Eng. in 18th C., I. ii. 301. Before the middle of the 18th century the laws against Catholic worship were virtually obsolete.
2. Virtuously, morally. rare.
1539. in Strype, Eccl. Mem. (1721), I. App. cx. 296. [All persons shall] virtually and devoutly … hear their divine services and masses.
1812. Cary, Dante, Purg., XXX. 118. This man Was … So gifted virtually, that in him All better habits wonderously had thrived.
3. In respect of (physical) virtues. rare–1.
1660. Burney, Κέρδ. Δῶρον (1661), 75. The Prince is not placed in his Chair of State, as the Sun has its spherical collocation amidst the Planets, and is chiefest vertually.
4. With virtue or power; effectively, rare–1.
1604. Dekker, King’s Entertainm., Wks. 1873, I. 302. Beames from thine eyes So vertually shining, that they bring, To England’s new Arabia, a new Spring.
