virtue

[ vur-choo ]
/ ˈvɜr tʃu /

noun

Idioms for virtue

    by/in virtue of, by reason of; because of: to act by virtue of one's legitimate authority.
    make a virtue of necessity, to make the best of a difficult or unsatisfactory situation.

Origin of virtue

1175–1225; alteration (with i < Latin) of Middle English vertu < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin virtūt- (stem of virtūs) maleness, worth, virtue, equivalent to vir man (see virile) + -tūt- abstract noun suffix

SYNONYMS FOR virtue

1 See goodness.
2 probity, integrity.

ANTONYMS FOR virtue

1 vice.

OTHER WORDS FROM virtue

vir·tue·less, adjective vir·tue·less·ness, noun non·vir·tue, noun

Words nearby virtue

virtual reality, virtual storage, virtuality, virtualize, virtually, virtue, virtue signaling, virtues, virtuosa, virtuosity, virtuoso

British Dictionary definitions for make a virtue of necessity

virtue
/ (ˈvɜːtjuː, -tʃuː) /

noun

Derived forms of virtue

virtueless, adjective

Word Origin for virtue

C13: vertu, from Old French, from Latin virtūs manliness, courage, from vir man

Cultural definitions for make a virtue of necessity

make a virtue of necessity

To pretend that one is freely and happily doing something one has been forced to do: “Once the mayor was forced by the voters to cut his budget, he made a virtue of necessity and loudly denounced government spending.”

Idioms and Phrases with make a virtue of necessity (1 of 2)

make a virtue of necessity

Do the best one can under given circumstances, as in Since he can't break the contract, Bill's making a virtue of necessity. This expression first appeared in English in Chaucer's The Knight's Tale: “Then is it wisdom, as it thinketh me, to make virtue of necessity.” Also see make the best of.

Idioms and Phrases with make a virtue of necessity (2 of 2)

virtue

see by virtue of; make a virtue of necessity.