Forms: α. 3–6 uertu, vertu (4 vertw-, vartu), 3–8 (9 Sc.) vertue (4 uertue, 5 vertuwe), 4–5 wertu (5 wertw-); 4–7 verteu, 4–6 vertew (4 -ewe), 5–7 wertew (5 -ewe); 4 ver-, wertow, 5 wertou-, 9 north. dial. varter, Sc. verter. β. 3–4 uirtu, 4–5, 7 virtu, 6– virtue; 6 virtew. [a. AF. and OF. vertu (F. vertu, = It. virtù, Sp. virtud, Pg. virtude), ad. L. virtūt-, virtus manliness, valor, worth, etc., f. vir man.]
I. As a quality of persons.
1. The power or operative influence inherent in a supernatural or divine being. Now arch. or Obs.
c. 1250. Kent. Serm., in O. Eng. Misc., 30. Besech ure lorde þet he do ine þe his uertu.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 5852. ‘Pers,’ he seyd, ‘…þou art weyl with Ihesu; He sheweþ for þe grete vertu.’ Ibid. (1338), Chron. (1810), 184. If ȝour God be so clere, & of so grete vertewe, As ȝe preche oft tide.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1391. For though so be that Mars is god of Armes Youre vertu is so greet in heuene aboue That [etc.].
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 37. Þat it [Bubo] may neuer be cured … but if it plese god … for to help wiþ his vnspekeable vertu.
a. 1450. Mirk’s Festial, 6. Hopyng þat þe vertu of Cryst schull put away his temptacyon.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 19/2. After the passion of Jhesu Cryst … he was transported from Infirmyte to Vertu.
1557. N. T. (Genev.), Epist. *iiii. In his owne vertue he rose agayne.
1570. T. Norton, trans. Nowell’s Catech., 25 b. All things would runne to ruine, and fall to nothyng, vnlesse by hys vertue, & as it were by hys hand, they were vpholden.
1594. Drayton, Idea, 489. All unclean Thoughts, foule Spirits cast out in mee, Onely by Vertue that proceeds from thee.
1655. Stanley, Hist. Philos., I. I. 14. That the world is animated, and that God is the soul thereof,… whose divine moving vertue penetrats through the element of water.
1738. Wesley, Ps. LXXX. xx. Look on them with thy flaming Eyes, The Sin-consuming Virtue dart.
1850. Neale, Med. Hymns (1867), 27. Michael, who in princely virtue Cast Abaddon from on high.
b. An embodiment of such power; esp. pl., one of the orders of the celestial hierarchy.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 19523. Godds virtu or gret prophet, Or angel elles þai him let.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., A. 1125. Þe steuen moȝt stryke þurȝ þe vrþe to helle, Þat þe vertues of heuen of Ioye endyte.
1382. Wyclif, Mark xiii. 25. Vertues that be in heuenes, schulen be mouyd.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., II. xvi. (1495), c j b/2. The seuenth ordre [of angels] is Vertues.
1533. Gau, Richt Vay, 4. And siclik thay dremit and maid innumerabil pouers and vertus and laid to siclik orisons.
1575. Timme, trans. Marlorat’s Expos. John, 146/2. Hee hath committed these partes in charge, to the Angell. For the which cause the Angelles are called, powers, or vertues.
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., XV. ii. (1886), 315. Two and twentie legions of divels, partlie of the order of vertues, & partlie of the order of thrones.
1620. Quarles, Pentæologia, Gloria Cœli, 13. Where troups of Powers, Vertues, Cherubins,… Are chaunting praises to their heauenly King.
1667. Milton, P. L., X. 460. Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Vertues, Powers.
a. 1711. Ken, Hymnotheo, Poet. Wks. 1721, III. 200. Virtues, who turn the orbs celestial round.
1812. Cary, Dante, Par., XXVIII. 113. Dominations first; next them, Virtues; and powers the third.
1880. Encycl. Brit., XI. 792/1.
† c. An act of superhuman or divine power; a ‘mighty work’; a miracle. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 19566 (Edin.). Þe haligaste, it was sa gode, þate þa men þat it undirfange moȝte do suilc uirtuz and sua strange.
c. 1305. St. Christopher, 127, in E. E. P. (1862), 63. On such god, he seide, ȝe schulde bileoue: þat such virtu mai do.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, x. (Matthew), 232. I traste þat þu ma do þe sammyne-lyk vertu fore his sake.
1382. Wyclif, Matt. xi. 20. Thanne Ihesus began for to seie repreue to citees, in whiche ful manye vertues of hym ben don.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll. (Camden), 28. Crist in a coost of þe Jewes miȝt not do ani vertu þer, for þe vntrouþ.
1526. Tindale, Mark vi. 2. What wysdom is this that is geven vnto him? and such vertues that are wrought by his hondes?
2. Conformity of life and conduct with the principles of morality; voluntary observance of the recognized moral laws or standards of right conduct; abstention on moral grounds from any form of wrong-doing or vice.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 269. Nu hit is vertu … uor to wakien, uor hit greueð þe.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 7. Tho was vertu sett above And vice was put under fote.
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeles, III. 206. So vertue wolde fflowe whan vicis were ebbid.
c. 1410. Hoccleve, Mother of God, 9. Modir of mercy,… Þat of al vertu art superlatyf.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Æsop, IV. xx. The roote of alle vertue is obedynce and humylyte.
1531. Elyot, Gov., II. x. If vertue be an election annexed unto our nature, and consisteth in a meane, which is determined by reason.
1545. Brinklow, Lament., 79. Reformacion or redresse … wherby to expulse vice, and encreace vertu.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., III. ii. 71 b. [They] haue enclined, & finally returned into their naturall and primitiue vertue.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. i. II. xi. The principall Habits are two in number, Vertue, and Vice.
1655. Stanley, Hist. Philos., I. III. 107. He describes morall vertu in his discourses and writings.
1691. Hartcliffe, Virtues, 9. There were also those, who taught, That Virtue was that excellent thing, in which we should find our chiefest Good.
1736. Butler, Anal., I. iii. § 4. Virtue consists in a regard to what is right and reasonable, as being so; in a regard to veracity, justice, charity, in themselves.
1751. Chatham, Lett. Nephew, ii. 7. Lessons of honour, courage,… humanity, and in one word, virtue in its true signification.
1791. Burke, Corr. (1844), III. 200. Vice is never so odious … as when it usurps and disgraces the natural place of virtue.
1828. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), I. 89. He thinks that to propose a reward for virtue is to render virtue impossible.
1850. F. W. Robertson, Lect., 73. That alone is virtue which has good placed before it and evil, and seeing the evil, chooses the good.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 179. Unless we know whether virtue is one or many, we shall hardly know what virtue is.
phr. [1669. Dryden, Tyrannic Love, II. i. To follow Vertue, as its own reward.]
1697. Vanbrugh, Relapse, V. iii. Virtue is its own Reward: There’s a Pleasure in doing good, which sufficiently pays it self.
1756. Home, Douglas, III. iii. Amen! and virtue is its own reward!
1771. Smollett, Humph. Cl., To D. Lewis, 12 June. I shall be content with the reflection, that virtue is its own reward.
1850. Smedley, F. Fairlegh, xxxviii. Supposing this iniquitous engagement … broken off by your exertions, is Virtue to be its own reward?
b. Personified, or regarded as an entity.
1402. Hoccleve, Let. Cupid, 457. Vertu so digne is and so noble in kynde, That Vice and she wol not in feere abide.
c. 1420. Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 2074. Then may ye say ye have a sure staff To … walke by the way of Vertu hys loore.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, III. xx. If ever Vertue tooke a bodie to shewe his (else unconceaveable) beautie.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., III. ii. 63. That loue which Vertue begges, and Vertue graunts.
1607. Dekker, Northw. Hoe, V. Wks. 1873, III. 73. Virtue glories not in the spoil, but in the victory.
1660. Ingelo, Bentiv. & Ur., II. (1682), 68. If Virtue be so happy when it is afflicted.
1692. Prior, Ode Imit. Horace, viii. Virtue is her own Reward, With solid Beams and Native Glory bright.
1726–46. Thomson, Winter, 1039. Virtue sole survives, Immortal never-failing friend of man.
1770. Goldsm., Des. Vill., 108. But on he moves to meet his latter end, Angels around befriending Virtue’s friend.
1799. Campbell, Pleas. Hope, I. 530. So Virtue dies, the spouse of Liberty!
1818. Coleridge, Friend (1865), 72. A wound in feelings which virtue herself has fostered.
1860. All Year Round, No. 64. 322. Man may bow before virtue, but virtue never bows before man.
c. spec. Chastity, sexual purity, esp. on the part of women. Of easy virtue: see EASY a. 12.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, IV. i. 84. Hero it selfe can blot out Heroes vertue.
1706. Estcourt, Fair Example, V. i. Ne’er let the fair one boast of Virtue prov’d Till she has well refus’d the Man she lov’d.
1740. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. xiv. 252. I say not this … to excuse the lady’s fall: Nothing can do that; because virtue is … preferable to all considerations.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, II. iii. That order of females whose faces are taken as a kind of security for their virtue.
1819. Shelley, Peter Bell 3rd, III. viii. There are mincing women, mewing … Of their own virtue.
1885. Mabel Collins, Prettiest Woman, ii. She played the woman of virtue—and played it well.
transf. 1845. McCulloch, Taxation, I. iv. (1852), 121. The tax will then fall with its full weight upon men of integrity, while the millionaire of ‘easy virtue’ may well-nigh escape it altogether.
d. Sc. Industry, diligence. rare.
1546. Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot., 757/2. Quhairthrow all virtew and marchandice within the said burgh is abusit, ceissit and dekeyit.
1641. Sc. Acts, Chas. I. (1817), V. 657/2. It is necessar that in everie schyre at leist thair be ane schooll or hous of vertue erected. Ibid., 658/2. Any parcellis of cloth, seyis, &c.,… made in the saidis houses of vertew.
1803. Scott, Lett., in Lockhart (1837), I. xi. 386. In many parts of Scotland the word virtue is limited entirely to industry.
3. With a and pl. A particular moral excellence; a special manifestation of the influence of moral principles in life or conduct.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 368. Þet oðer þing is … deuociun, reoufulnesse, merci, pite of heorte…, edmodnesse, & oðre swuche uertuz.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 13. Þis is ȝet þe uertu þat halt … ure feble flesch … in hal halinesse.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 571. Alle virtus has [that] saul i-wis, þat vte o sin vnsaked is.
c. 1325. Spec. Gy Warw., 71. I wole þe teche, Faire uertuz for to take And foule þewes to forsake.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XI. 370. Suffraunce is a souereygne vertue.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 4017. Ho … voidet all vanities, & virtus dissyret.
1422. Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 147. The beste good of all is good of vertues and grace.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 82. Oþere synnes arn contrarye to on vertew, as pride is contrarye to lownesse.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 2. All maner of goostly matter, concernynge the perfeccyon of graces and vertues.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xxiii. (Arb.), 274. The word became not … her sex, whose chiefe vertue is shamefastnesse.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, IV. iii. 84. Our crimes would dispaire if they were not cherish’d by our vertues.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 44. How great a vertue is temperance, how much of moment through the whole life of man?
1682. Bunyan, Greatness of Soul, Wks. 1853, I. 138. It is a sport now to some to taunt and squib and deride at other men’s virtues.
1705. Stanhope, Paraphr., III. 207. They confess too, that Self-Denial is a Christian Vertue.
1761. Hume, Hist. Eng., II. xxviii. 136. Courage, preferably to equity or justice, was the virtue most valued.
1797. Godwin, Enquirer, I. ii. 9. Human virtues without discrimination are no virtues.
1835. Thirlwall, Greece, I. 321. Thousands … proclaimed the virtues of the deceased prince superior to those of all his predecessors.
1865. Lubbock, Preh. Times, xiv. (1869), 553. Neither faith, hope, nor charity enters into the virtues of a savage.
transf. 1680. Morden, Geog. Rect., China (1685), 423. Their chief practice or special Virtues are Theft, Murder and Adultery.
1719. Young, Busiris, I. i. When rage and rancour are the proper virtues, And loss of reason is the mark of men.
1820. Byron, Mar. Fal., IV. ii. But they were not aware that there are things Which make revenge a virtue by reflection.
b. In enumerations of certain moral qualities regarded as of special excellence or importance, as the four cardinal virtues (see CARDINAL a. 2), the three theological virtues (see THEOLOGICAL a. 1), or the seven virtues opposed to the seven deadly sins.
c. 1320. Cast. Love, 827. Þat beþ þe seuen vertues wiþ winne To ouercome þe seuen dedly sinne.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 5. Þe metynge of þe þre waies of þe þre vertues of deuynyte, and þe metynge of foure weies of þe foure chief vertues.
c. 1400. Cursor M., 25391 (Cott. Galba). Now haue I sayd þir askinges seuyn … whilk seuyn vertuse vntill us wins, and als fordose seuyn dedly sins.
1411–2. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 4755. Prudence, attemperance, strengthe, and right, Tho foure ben vertues principal.
c. 1425. Cast. Persev., 1694. Þe seuene synnys I forsake & to þese vij vertuis I me tak.
1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 7. The twa principal vertewes callit Faith and Hoip.
1590. Spenser, Let. W. Raleigh, in F. Q., Pref. The twelve private Morall Vertues, as Aristotle devised.
1693. D’Emilianne’s Hist. Monast. Orders, 249. Of the Order of the ten Virtues, or Delights of the Virgin Mary, called also of the Annunciade.
1753. Challoner, Cath. Chr. Instr., 2. To nourish … in our Souls the three Divine Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.
c. All the Virtues, a name given to the Opposition in the House of Commons in 1815–16.
On the model of ‘All the Talents’ applied to the Grenville Ministry of 1806–7: see TALENT sb. 6 d.
1816. Sir G. Bingham, Lett., 1 Jan., in Cornh. Mag. (1900), Jan., 34. Bonaparte … has heard that ‘All the Virtues,’ with Sir Francis Burdett at their head, were to advocate his cause and recall.
d. A personified moral quality, or a representation of this in painting, sculpture, etc.
1851. E. J. Millington, trans. Didron’s Chr. Iconogr., I. 84. Each Virtue bears a characteristic attribute…. Liberty, like … the twelve sister Virtues … is decorated with a large nimbus.
1885. J. R. Allen, Early Chr. Symbolism, 277. Crowned figures armed with shields … to symbolise the Virtues trampling on the Vices overcome.
4. To make (a) virtue of necessity (or † need), to do with apparent willingness, or as if performing a meritorious action, what one in reality cannot help doing; to submit to circumstances with a good grace.
After OF. faire de necessité vertu, L. facere de necessitate virtutem (Jerome, In Rufinum, 3, n. 2).
(a) c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 1586. Thus makeþ vertue of necessite By paciens, and þenk þat lord is he Of fortune ay, þat nought wole of here recche. Ibid. (c. 1386), Sqr.’s T., 593. That I made vertu of necessitee And took it wel syn þat it moste bee.
1411–2. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 1252. Make of necessite, reed I vertu; For better rede can I non.
c. 1480. Henryson, Test. Cresseid, 478. I counsall the mak vertew of ane neid.
1578. Whetstone, 2nd Pt. Promos & Cass., V. v. Good Maddame way, by lawe, your Lord doth dye, Wherefore make vertue of necessity.
1646. Earl Monm., trans. Biondi’s Civil Wars, V. 115. Villandras weighing the danger made vertue of necessity, hee went to Toulosse.
1652. J. Wright, trans. Camus’ Nat. Paradox, X. 245. However, I will have patience, and making Vertue of Necessity, I will forbear.
(b) 1583. Stocker, Civ. Warres Lowe C., I. 28 b. They were enforced to behaue themselues accordingly as the tyme serued, and of necessitie, to make a vertue, in dispice of them.
1588. Greene, Pandosto (1607), 10. Shee was faine to make a vertue of her neede.
1614. Day, Festivals, x. (1615), 297. I wil make a Vertue of this Necessitie.
1639. S. Du Verger, trans. Camus’ Admir. Events, 46. They make a vertue of that necessity.
1677. W. Hughes, Man of Sin, II. ix. 144. Their Modern Doctors, whom the Arguments of the Protestants have compelled to make a Vertue of Necessity.
a. 1708. [see NECESSITY sb. 5].
1764. trans. Gil Blas, I. V. I. 21. And making a virtue of necessity, I put the best face I could upon it, and went about the work she set me upon.
1837. [see NECESSITY sb. 5].
b. To make a virtue of, to make a merit of, to gain credit by.
1842. Lover, Handy Andy, xiii. Mat, who saw Furlong was near the mark, thought he might … make a virtue of telling him.
5. Superiority or excellence, unusual ability, merit or distinction, in some respect.
1382. Wyclif, Wisd. x. 2. God … ladde hym out fro his gilte,… and ȝaf to hym vertue of hauynge alle thingus.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, II. 18. Now shal men se Yf any vertu in the be To tel al my dreme aryght.
c. 1400. Brut, I. 229. Miche peple wer out of here mynde, & God haþ sent ham her mynde aȝeyn þrouȝ vertu of þat holy martr’.
c. 1450. Holland, Houlate, 264. Thir fowlis … weraly awysit, full of wirtewe, The maner, the mater, and how it remanyt.
c. 1475. Rauf Coilȝear, 162. Thow hes walkit, I wis, in mony wyld land, The mair vertew thow suld haue, to keip the fra blame.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Auian, xii. For what vertue that ony man hath none oughte to preyse hym self.
1602. Speght’s Chaucer (ed. 2), c i v. Vertue flourisheth in Chaucer still, Though death of him hath wrought his will.
1631. Markham, Cheap Husb. (ed. 6), I. ii. 10. Our English Gentry … aime for the most part at no more skill than the riding of a ridden and perfect horse, which is but onely the setting forth of another mans vertue.
1828. Macaulay, Ess., Hallam’s Constit. Hist. (1897), 85. That unsparing impartiality which is his [sc. Hallam’s] most distinguishing virtue.
b. An accomplishment. Now rare or Obs.
15[?]. Aberdeen Reg. (Jam.). The singeir to pas & remane in Pareis for ane yeir to leir wertews.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., III. i. 313. Sp. Item, she can wash and scoure. La. A speciall vertue. Ibid. (1608), Per., IV. vi. 195. Proclaim that I can sing, weave, sew, and dance, With other virtues, which I’ll keep from boast.
1615. Markham (title), The English Hus-Wife, Contayning, The inward and outward vertues which ought to be in a compleat woman. As, her skill in Physicke,… Cookery, [etc.].
1656. Duchess of Newcastle, True Relation, in Life (1886), 280. Tutors … for all sorts of virtues, as singing, dancing, playing on music, reading, writing, working, and the like.
1808. Scott, Autobiog., in Lockhart, i. (1842), 4/1. Robert sung agreeably—(a virtue which was never seen in me).
c. = VIRTU 1. rare.
1709. Tatler, No. 38, ¶ 12. He has by rote, and at second-hand, all that can be said of any man of figure, wit, and virtue in town.
1828. Edin. Rev., XLVIII. 61. The Italians commonly call a taste for the fine arts, or skill in them, by the name of Virtue.
† 6. Physical strength, force or energy. Obs.
Common a. 1325–1420 as a rendering of L. virtus.
a. 1325. Prose Psalter, xxviii. 10. Our Lord shal ȝeue vertu to his folk.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, xxxii. 16. Geaunt sall noght be safe in multitude of his vertu.
1382. Wyclif, Luke x. 19. I hau ȝouun to ȝou power of … tredinge, on serpents, and scorpiouns, and on al the vertu of the enemy.
c. 1400. Laud Troy Bk., 9291. He myȝt not wel his breth blowe, He was In poynt to ouer-throwe; His vertu hadde he clene lore.
1422. Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 242. Hit servyth to the stomake and to the entraill, and than thay gederith hare streynth and vertu, wyche was amenuset and febelit.
c. 1450. trans. De Imitatione, III. ix. 76. Þou art oure helpe, our vertu, & our strengþe.
c. 1500. Melusine, xxx. 226. He … smote Zelodius vpon his helmet, by suche strengthe & vertue that he made hym to enclyne vpon his hors neck.
† b. An armed force. Obs. rare.
1382. Wyclif, 1 Macc. i. 4. And he gadride vertu, and ful stronge oost. Ibid., xiii. 54. And Symont seeȝ Joon, his sone, that he was a man of bateil, and he putte hym duyk of alle vertues.
† c. Flourishing state or condition. Obs.
c. 1400. Three Kings Cologne (1886), 8. Whan þe citee of Acon … florisshed and stode in his vertue, Ioye and prosperite.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Æsop, III. xvi. He that gouerneth not wel his bely withe grete payne he may hold the other lymmes in theyr strengthe and vertue.
7. The possession or display of manly qualities; manly excellence, manliness, courage, valor.
In later use tending to pass into sense 2.
13[?]. Coer de L., 2810. A baroun or gret vertewe.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 5324. Quat may þi vertu now a-vaile & all þine vayn pride?
c. 1420. Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 1092. Syres, put no dowte, Vertu shall retorne & haue hys entente. Thys felde shalbe our.
c. 1450. Merlin, xxxii. 656. The Bretouns hem diffended as peple of grete vertu.
1523. Ld. Berners, trans. Froiss., I. cxcii. 228. The lord Pynnand his company defended themself by great vertue.
1549. Compl. Scotl., Ep. 2. Quhar for ȝour heroyque vertu is of mair admiratione.
1579. Fenton, Guicciard., II. 104. The bastard of Burbon was made prisoner, notwithstanding he fought with great vertue. Ibid. Yet his vertue defended his person.
a. 1668. Lassels, Voy. Italy (1698), II. 86. Marius … from a common soldier came by his warlike vertue to be seven times consul.
1710. Shaftesb., Advice to Author, II. § 1. 67. They [sc. the Muses] were more to him than his Arms or military Virtue.
1758. Johnson, Lett. to B. Langton, 21 Sept., in Boswell. A man that languishes with disease, ends his life with more pain, but with less virtue.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. IV. ii. 70. The English were called upon for the utmost exertions of their virtue.
II. As a quality of things.
8. In the prepositional phrases in or by (also † through or with) virtue of, by the power or efficacy of (something aiding or justifying); hence, in later use, by the authority of, in reliance upon, in consequence of, because of. (Cf. 10 c.)
(a) c. 1230. Hali Meid., 13. Engel & meiden beon euening in uertu of meidenhades mihte.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 18. Þe Kyng with þe maistrie went in to þe toun, Þe pris he had wonnen in vertew of Criste’s passioun.
1617. Fortescue Papers (Camden), 29. They should talke of the points of religion but by way of discourse, and not as in vertue of the commission [etc.].
1660. Jer. Taylor, Worthy Commun., I. iv. 75. Christ in heaven perpetually offers and represents that sacrifice to his heavenly Father and in vertue of that obtaines all good things for his church.
1703. Maundrell, Journ. Jerus. (1707), 105. In vertue of which perswasion, the Olives, and Olive stones, and Oyl which they produce, became an excellent commodity in Spain.
1754. Sherlock, Disc. (1759), I. ii. 77. He was the Head of all Creatures in Virtue of having created them.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 344. The experiment … was ordered in virtue of an observation that had occurred in the course of the work.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Three Ages, ii. 39. In virtue of an office which he held, he had liberty to pass through the palace garden.
1879. Froude, Cæsar, xiii. 188. He remained a senator in virtue of his quæstorship.
(b) c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 284. I þe coniure … bi vertu of þing þat þou most in þis world louest.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 32. Bi vertue of þis cheef domesman he owiþ to be excused fro þis somonynge of worldly prelat.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Parson’s T., ¶ 340. It may wel wexe fieble and faille by vertu of baptesme and by the grace of god thurgh penitence.
1425. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 290/1. That they mowe be vertue of the same lokett, be fully excused att alle tymes.
1495. Act 11 Hen. VII., c. 53 § 1. Noo … persone the whiche … therwith entermedlede to your use or by vertu of your letters patentes.
1553. in Feuillerat, Revels Q. Mary (1914), 149. By vertue of a warraunte sygned with her Maiesties oune handes.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1376/2. They shall loose the fiue shillings that they should receiue … by vertue of my will.
1617. Sir T. Wentworth in Fortescue Papers (Camden), 25. When indeed he was in effect out of the Commission before, by vertu of that direction.
1663. Heath, Flagellum (1672), 47. Upon some pretence of private business of the Colonels and by vertue thereof in a Disguise of a Servant [etc.].
1681–6. J. Scott, Chr. Life (1747), III. 283. So we Christians by vertue of our Covenant with God in Christ, are separated from all other Societies.
1695. Enq. Anc. Const. Eng., 44. Violating the Fundamental Laws and constitutions of the Government by vertue of which he became King.
1785. Burke, Sp. Nabob Arcot, Wks. 1842, I. 318. No others, by virtue of general powers, can obtain a legal title … to exercise those special functions.
1838. Thirlwall, Greece, III. 287. The refugees who retired by virtue of the treaty from Amphipolis, found shelter at Eion.
1868. Lockyer, Elem. Astron., § 374. The planets, when they are visible, appear as stars, and, like the stars, they rise and set by virtue of the Earth’s rotation.
(c) c. 1290. S. Eng. Leg., I. 11/346. And þoruȝ vertue of þe holie croiz he ouer-cam alle is fon.
c. 1320. Sir Tristr., 1894. Hole sche was & sounde þurch vertu of his gle.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 157. Þe barouns … prayede god þorw vertue of hem Schold sauye hem thar fro heþe men.
c. 1400. Brut, ccviii. 237. He come to þe Gildehall of London, and axede þe keies of þe zates of þe citee þrouȝ vertue and strengh of his commission.
(d) 1586. Marlowe, 1st Pt. Tamburl., V. ii. So … Must Tamburlaine by their resistlesse powers, With vertue of a gentle victorie, Conclude a league of honor to my hope.
9. Without article: † a. Of precious stones: Occult efficacy or power (as in the prevention or cure of disease, etc.); in later use, great worth or value. Obs.
a. 1272. Luue Ron, 170, in O. E. Misc., 98. Hwat spekstu of eny stone þat beoþ in vertu oþer in grace.
c. 1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 9198. Þus may a man … Alle þe cete of heven lyken … to precyouse stanes of vertow [etc.].
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 4425. Þe ston … was of so stif vertu, þat neuer man vpon mold miȝt it him on haue, ne schuld he with wicchecraft be wicched neuer-more.
c. 1400. Melayne, 978. His helme & his hawberke holde, Freth ouere with rede golde, With stones of vertue dere.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, VII. xxvii. 254. A coronal of gold besette with stones of vertue to the valewe of a thousand pound.
1503. Hawes, Examp. Virt., xiii. 242. The roof was set with stones of vertue. Ibid. (1509), Past. Pleas., xxvii. (Percy Soc.), 127. With perles and rubies rubicond, Mixte with emerauds so full of vertue.
b. Of plants, waters, etc.: Efficacy arising from physical qualities; esp. power to affect the human body in a beneficial manner; strengthening, sustaining or healing properties.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 34. Bot be the fruit may scilwis se O quat vertu is ilka tre. Ibid., 1016. Treis o frut þan es þar sett Þat serekin vertu has at ette.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 129. His herbe is Anabulla named, Which is of gret vertu proclamed.
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 16. Ȝe schall draw wateris … Oute of wellis of oure Saviour, Wiche have vertu to curen alle langueres.
1562. Turner, Herbal, II. 31. It is sayde that there is an other Magadaris in Lybia…. It hath like vertu with Laserpitio.
1602. Shaks., Ham., IV. vii. 145. No Cataplasme … Collected from all Simples that haue Vertue Vnder the Moone, can saue the thing from death.
1655. Culpepper, etc., Riverius, I. xiii. 48. This following Fomentation is of wonderful Vertue.
1678. Lady Chaworth, in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 48. A wolfes tooth for my pritty godson, that Lady Fingall gave me as a thinge of much vertu … and antidotal against convulsions.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Birds-Eye, an Herb … of singular Virtue against the Palsey.
1778. Johnson, Lett. to Mrs. Thrale, 15 Oct. The second [night] … not so much better as that I dare ascribe any virtue to the medicine.
1841. Myers, Cath. Th., III. § 27. 102. Distilling healing virtue into better waters.
1865. Parkman, Huguenots, i. (1875), 6. There was a fountain of such virtue that, bathing in its waters, old men resumed their youth.
c. Efficacy of a moral nature; influence working for good upon human life or conduct. † Also, in early use, miraculous power (of the cross, etc.).
c. 1300. St. Margarete, 316. Of gret vertu is hire lyf, ho so þeron þoȝte.
c. 1305. in E. E. P. (1862), 99. If þu woldest þat soþe ihure … Gret vertu ic wole þe telle of þe suete holi rode.
c. 1425. Hampole’s Psalter, Metr. Pref. 12. In þis boke is muche vertu, to reders wiþ deuocyown.
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 9. Thes rialle gifftes been of verteu most, Gostly coragis most sovereignly delyte.
1549. Latimer, Ploughers (Arb.), 32. Purposinge to euacuate Christes death, and to make it of smal efficacitie and vertue.
1567. Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.), 14. Our Baptisme dotit with sanctitude, And greit vertew, to wesche our sinfulness.
1841. Myers, Cath. Th., III. § 17. 64. Few questions … could well be more important, if Divine virtue is to be ascribed to every letter of Scripture.
d. Superiority or excellence in respect either of nature or of operation; worth or efficacy of any kind.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 16. Selden get a domb man lond. Tak that proverbe, and understond That wordes ben of vertu grete.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 8388. The walles [were] vp wroght … With stones full stoute, stithest of vertue.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., xx. In vere, that full of vertu is and gude, Quhen nature first begynneth hir enprise.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., V. i. 10. The blade … was of no less virtue, then of fame.
1665–6. Phil. Trans., I. 282. Yet have these two Load-stones no connexion or tye, though a Common Center of Virtue according to which they joyntly act.
1669. Bunyan, Holy Citie, 153. Gold is the choice and chief of all Metals both for worth, colour, and vertue.
1779. Forrest, Voy. N. Guinea, 339. The latter [sc. cinnamon] is vastly superior in richness, sweetness, and virtue.
1812. Cary, Dante, Par., VII. 132. The elements Are by created virtue inform’d.
1830. Herschel, Study Nat. Phil., 59. There is virtue in a bushel of coals properly consumed, to raise seventy millions of pounds weight a foot high.
1883. N. York Chr. Union, 21 June. The new Sound steamer ‘Pilgrim’ is regarded as a model of mechanical and constructional virtue.
† e. Of laws, etc.: Operation, vigor. Obs.
c. 1450. Harl. Contin. Higden (Rolls), VIII. 511. Whiche statute was ordeynede to take vertu and begynnynge at the feste of the Purificacion.
1472–5. Rolls of Parlt., VI. 162/1. That the said late Ordenaunce … be and stond in strenght and vertue, unto the xxvi day of May.
1652. Needham, Selden’s Mare Cl., 59. The Sea-Laws which were used and in full force and virtue in both the Empires were borrowed from the Rhodians.
1686. Col. Rec. Pennsylv., I. 171. All those laws shall and are hereby Continued to Stand and be in full force and Vertue untill ye End of the first Session.
† f. In virtue, virtually. Obs.
a. 1633. G. Herbert, Priest to Temple, xxi. A most plain and easy framing the question, even containing, in virtue, the answer also.
10. With limitation to special instances (usually the virtue of..., or with possessives): a. In senses 9 a and 9 b.
c. 1290. S. Eng. Leg., I. 312/428. Also man, ȝwane he is i-bore, onder heore [sc. the planets’] power i-wis, Schullen habbe diuers lijf, euere ase heore vertue is.
a. 1300. Leg. Rood (1871), 32. Þat water hi honurde muche … Ac hi nuste noþing of þe tre Þat al þe vertu made.
1320–30. Horn Ch., 567. Rimneld … bi-tauȝt him a ring Þe vertu wele sche knewe.
13[?]. Guy Warw. (A.), 1660. Thilke monk Sorgien was, Þe vertu he knewe of mani a gras.
c. 1400. Maundev., v. (1839), 50. Who so kutte hem [sc. balm-branches] with Iren, it wolde destroye his Vertue and his Nature.
c. 1450. Myrr. our Ladye, 37. A drynke … whiche is swete to taste, and effectuall to hele the woundes of synners by hys verteu.
1593. Earl of Shrewsbury, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. III. 39. I would your Lordship wolde once make trial of my Oyle of Stags blud, for I am strongly persuaded of the rare and great vertu thereof.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 17. It is an Errour in Phisicians, to rest simply vpon the Length of stay, for encreasing the vertue. But if you will haue the Infusion strong [etc.].
1640. Nabbes, Bride, I. ii. Like those pills which an unwilling patient Doubting their vertue takes.
1757. A. Cooper, Distiller, I. i. (1760), 6. Till at last the whole Virtue or saccharine Sweetness of the Malt is extracted.
1759. Mills, trans. Duhamel’s Husb., I. ix. (1762), 52. By this means the sun … will be prevented from exhaling the virtue of your manure.
1769. Mrs. Raffald, Eng. Housekpr. (1778), 1. It will draw all the virtue out of the roots or herbs, and turn it to a good gravy.
1845. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 11. The virtue of St. Martin’s precious relics was in the most active operation during the fifth and sixth centuries.
b. In sense 9 c.
c. 1250. Meid. Maregrete, xlv. Sclawen was þe dragun þoru þe uertu of þe rod.
c. 1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 3821. Pardon … es of þe tresur of haly kirke, Þat es gadirde … Of þe vertu of Crestes passion.
1382. Wyclif, Rom. i. 16. Forsoth I schame not the gospel, for it is the vertu of God in to helthe to ech man bileuynge.
c. 1450. M. E. Med. Bk. (Heinrich), 138. I coniure ȝow fyue croppes in þe verteu of þe v woundes, þat crist suffred on þe roode treo.
1473. Warkw., Chron., 18. Kynge Edwarde … requyrede hyme by the vertu of sacrament that he schulde pardone alle tho whos names here folowe.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (Pynson), I. vii. 20. Hauyng grace and werkyng therafter … by the vertue of the same he may meryt and deserue the crowne of glory.
1557. N. T. (Genev.), Phil. iii. 10. That I may knowe him, and the vertue of his resurrection.
a. 1617. Bayne, On Eph. (1658), 23. A thing wrought not by any power of nature but by the vertue of Gods Spirit.
a. 1629. Hinde, J. Bruen, li. (1641), 168. Doth not the vertue of the death and resurrection of Christ require it, that henceforth wee die unto sin…?
c. In sense 9 d.
a. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr., 2. It falles the flesche may noghte of his vertu noghte defaile ay whils þe saule in swylk joyes is rauyste for to joye.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sqr.’s T., 302. But fynally the kyng asked the knight The vertu of this courser, and the might, And prayd him tellen of his governaunce.
1477. Norton, Ord. Alch., i. in Ashm. (1652), 19. For cause efficient of Mettalls finde ye shall Only to be the vertue Minerall.
1535. Coverdale, Wisd. xix. 19. The fyre had power in the water (contrary to his awne vertue).
1584. Sir T. Chaloner (title), A shorte Discourse of the most rare … Vertue of Nitre, wherein is declared the … cures by the same effected.
1592. Daniel, Compl. Rosamond, Wks. (1717), 47. Pleasure had set my well-school’d Thoughts to play, And bid me use the Vertue of mine Eyes.
a. 1628. Preston, Effectual Faith (1631), 118. If it bee the vertue of a horse to goe well; If it be the vertue of a knife to cut well, if it be the vertue of a Soldier to fight well.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 209. At the top [of the date palm] … is a soft pith, in which consists the soule and vegetatiue vertue of that tree.
1759. Franklin, Lett., Wks. 1840, V. 364. Both these stones have evidently the two properties;… the virtue seems strongest towards one end of the face.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 170. A piece of soft iron … capable of supporting as much as the magnet from which it derives its virtue.
1841–4. Emerson, Ess. Spir. Laws, Wks. (Bohn), I. 57. The virtue of a pipe is to be smooth and hollow.
1878. Browning, La Saisiaz, 370. I shall … bless each kindly wrench that wrung From life’s tree its inmost virtue.
d. In similar use of immaterial things. † Also in sense 9 e.
c. 1325. Spec. Gy Warw., 653. If þu couþest knowe and se Þe uertu of humilite.
1340–70. Alisaunder, 513. Þe uertue of il uictorie … Is noght stabled in strength of no stiff prese.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 30. The vertu of hire goodly speche Is verraily myn hertes leche.
1450. Rolls of Parlt., V. 196/2. That the seid Letters Patentes,… aftre the strengthe, forme and vertue of the same,… stonde and abide in the force and vertue.
c. 1477. Caxton, Jason, 21 b. Fayr lordes displese yow not yf the uertue of my corage knowe not now the feblesse of my body.
1563. Man, Musculus’ Commonpl., 28. The Apostle witnesseth, that the law is the vertue of sinne.
1579. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 112. The old verse standeth as yet in his old vertue.
1607. Puritan, III. i. 74. The amazd widdow Will … wonder at the vertue of my words.
1642. J. M[arsh], Argt. conc. Militia, 18. The name of a Parliament onely, and not the power and vertue of it.
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 41. Whether the Harwich … suffered any thing from her said sheathing, in her virtue of Sailing.
1746. Wesley, Princ. Methodist, 63. Works beyond the Virtue of Natural Causes, wrought by the Power of Evil Spirits.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xliii. David … came, through the great virtue of if, to be of opinion that he might safely so act in that matter.
1852. Robertson, Serm., Ser. III. xvii. (1882), 227. He hath imparted to us the virtue of his wrestlings.
1872. Morley, Voltaire (1886), 4. A collective religious tradition that had lost its virtue.
† e. By (or in) the virtue of, = sense 8. Obs.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 32. He schal be excused fro þe lasse bi þe vertue of þe heiȝere iuge.
1654. R. Codrington, trans. Iustine, XVI. 254. [Many of them] delivered themselves from their … calamities by the virtue of an ingenious shame.
1656. Bramhall, Replic., vii. 292. I confess persons deputed … by the King doe often excommunicate and absolve … but this is by the vertue of their own habit of Jurisdiction.
1681–6. J. Scott, Chr. Life (1747), III. 201. By interceding for us as Priest in the vertue of his Sacrifice.
1695. Dryden, Ess. (ed. Ker), II. 124. The painters, by the virtue of their outlines, colours, lights, and shadows, represent the same things and persons in their pictures.
11. With a and pl. A particular power, efficacy or good quality inherent in, or pertaining to, something: a. Of plants, medicines, precious stones, etc. (Cf. 9 a, 9 b, and 10 a.)
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XIV. 37. Vitailles of grete vertues, for al manere bestes.
a. 1400. Stockholm Med. MS., 26. The vertuis of violet.
c. 1400. Maundev., vi. (1839), 69. Many othere Vertues it [an oak-tree] hathe: where fore Men holden it fulle precyous.
c. 1425. Cursor M., 1011 (Trin.). Mony vertues þere is sene Þe erbes euer I-liche grene.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XVII. v. 696. This Salamon was wyse and knewe alle the vertues of stones and trees.
1551. Turner, Herbal, Prol. A iij. I declare also the vertues of euery herbe.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., II. ii. 32 b. Wild asses, whiche haue in their head a stone, hauing the vertue against the falling sicknes.
1597. Gerarde, Herbal, I. ii. 4. These kindes of grasses do agree as it is thought, with the common Medow grasse, in nature and vertues.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 34. There are sundry vertues confected out of this beast.
1649. Bp. Reynolds, Hosea, i. 22. Wine draweth a nourishing vertue from the flesh of Vipers.
1699. Dampier, Voy. (1729), III. I. 379. The Sulphurousness or other Vertue of this Water.
1762. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), I. 280. It is said in the note that Sir Nathaniel was famed for painting plants, and well skilled in their virtues.
1796. Withering, Brit. Plants (ed. 3), I. 324. The plants of this class are supposed to have various specific virtues.
1806. Med. Jrnl., XV. 327. Have practitioners yet proved the full virtues of the digitalis?
1838. Murray’s Hand-bk. N. Germ., 374/2. The hot mineral springs … owe their virtues to the presence of sulphur and alkaline salts.
1856. R. A. Vaughan, Mystics, VIII. iv. (1860), II. 53. Each planet, according to its mind or mood, shed virtues healing or harmful into minerals and herbs.
b. Of animal bodies, the elements, or other physical entities.
Expulsive virtue: see EXPULSIVE a. 1.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, II. 42. For so astonyed and a-sweved Was every vertu in my heved. Ibid. (c. 1386), Prol., 4. Whan that Aprille … hath … bathud every veyne in swich licour, Of which vertue engendred is the flour.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 15. Þe vertues of lymes þou must knowe, þat he se, whanne þe worchinge of ony vartu failith in ony lyme.
1451. Capgrave, Life St. Gilbert, 120. Hir left arme had lost þe vertue of felyng.
1480. Caxton, Myrr., III. viii. 145. The sterres that ben in heuen whiche haue vertues on therthe.
1544. Phaër, Regim. Life (1560), S v. When a childe neseth out of measure, that is to say with a long continuance & therby the brayn & virtues animal be febled, it is good to stop it.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., IV. xxix. 151. The sacred fountayne … is of such a vertue, that putting into it any burning thing [it] is sodainly extinguished.
1604. E. G[rimstone], trans. D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, III. xxi. 188. This moisture from heaven hath such a vertue, that ceasing to fal vpon the earth, it breedes a great discommoditie and defect of graine and seedes.
a. 1628. Preston, Effectual Faith (1631), 59. If the Loadstone be of such a vertue, let it show it by attracting the Iron to it.
1684. R. Waller, Nat. Exper., 46. The inperceptible pores of those passages by which the attractive Virtue issues out.
1709. T. Robinson, Nat. Hist. Westmoreld., v. 26. A very active Principle, or Virtue, that operates in the Generation of Stones.
1755. B. Martin, Mag. of Arts & Sci., 389. What seems most wonderful, is, that the magnetic Virtue should not be interrupted by the Glass.
c. In miscellaneous uses.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, Her., a j. Ther ben here the vertuys of Chyualry.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 206. Money is of so great a vertue that it corrupteth Popes.
1629. Hobbes, Thucyd. (1822), 70. For a great and a little claim imposed … by way of command hath one and the same virtue to make subject.
1676. Hobbes, Iliad, Pref. (1686), 1. Concerning the Vertues of an Heroick Poem.
1702. Rouse’s Heav. Univ., Advert. 4. They may inwardly perceive by a most powerful and most secret Vertue imprinted in their Souls and Hearts.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, I. 276. It is not meant that there is any peculiar virtue or charm in the point called the centre.
1872. Ruskin, Eagle’s N., § 18. Over these three kingdoms of imagination, art, and science, there reigns a virtue or faculty … the appointed ruler and guide of every method of labour.
III. 12. Comb., as virtue-binding, -proof, -wise adjs.
1667. Milton, P. L., V. 384. No vaile Shee needed, Vertue-proof, no thought infirme Alterd her cheek.
1691. Satyr agst. French, 21. And she must be but little Vertue-proof, Who can be taken with such fulsom Stuff.
1816. L. Hunt, Rimini, III. 6. The holy cheat, the virtue-binding sin.
1838. S. Bellamy, Betrayal, 49. And wisdom’s self revealings, virtue-wise, Thy darkness comprehending not.
