virtual
[ vur-choo-uh l ]
/ ˈvɜr tʃu əl /
adjective
being such in power, force, or effect, though not actually or expressly such: a virtual dependence on charity.
Optics.
- noting an image formed by the apparent convergence of rays geometrically, but not actually, prolonged, as the image formed by a mirror (opposed to real).
- noting a focus of a system forming virtual images.
temporarily simulated or extended by computer software: a virtual disk in RAM; virtual memory on a hard disk.
Origin of virtual
OTHER WORDS FROM virtual
vir·tu·al·i·ty, nounWords nearby virtual
virology,
viron,
virosis,
virtanen,
virtu,
virtual,
virtual assistant,
virtual cautery,
virtual human,
virtual image,
virtual machine
Example sentences from the Web for virtual
British Dictionary definitions for virtual
virtual
/ (ˈvɜːtʃʊəl) /
adjective
having the essence or effect but not the appearance or form of
a virtual revolution
physics
being, relating to, or involving a virtual image
a virtual focus
computing
of or relating to virtual storage
virtual memory
of or relating to a computer technique by which a person, wearing a headset or mask, has the experience of being in an environment created by the computer, and of interacting with and causing changes in it
rare
capable of producing an effect through inherent power or virtue
physics
designating or relating to a particle exchanged between other particles that are interacting by a field of force
a virtual photon See also exchange force
Word Origin for virtual
C14: from Medieval Latin
virtuālis effective, from Latin
virtūs
virtue