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virtus

Etymology and origin of the Latin word virtus

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cato
Ultimate origin
Proto-Indo-European (*wiHrós)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈwɪr.tuːs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈvir.tus][1]

Forms

virtūs f (genitive virtūtis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from vir “man” with the suffix -tūs.[2][1][3] Köbler traces ⟨vir⟩ to Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (“man”).[4] Old forms are the ablative ⟨virtūtī⟩ in Plautus and ⟨virtūtei⟩ in inscriptions.[2][5] Isidore defines it as great strength of the body in labour.[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Cato, of manly resolve.[2] Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the qualities of a true man, manly spirit, courage, valour, especially in war, as in Ennius, and in Ovid the vigour of plants.[2][5] From Plautus it meant excellence of mind or character, merit, a particular virtue, and any valuable quality, and virtūte with a genitive “thanks to”.[2] From Lucilius it meant moral excellence, virtue, and in Cicero it was a goddess.[2] In Cicero it meant excellence of style, and in Vitruvius efficacy, a special property.[2] Döderlein explains that virtūs is virtue shown in deserving deeds, while ferōcia is natural wild courage.[7]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant virtue, power, excellence, strength, a host.[8] Medieval Latin used it for the power to work miracles, a miracle, a relic, and a church as property.[9] It survives in Italian virtù, French vertu and Spanish virtud, and Old French vertu gave English virtue about 1200.[1][3] Medieval Latin virtuālis gave English virtual.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of manly resolve.[2][4]
  • 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of valour in war.[2][4]
  • c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius uses it of moral virtue.[2][4]
  • c. 1200 – English virtue is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Manliness, courage, valour; vigour.[2]
  2. Excellence, worth, merit; a particular merit.[2]
  3. Moral excellence, virtue.[2]
  4. Virtūs, the goddess.[2]
  5. Any excellence; potency, efficacy.[2]
  6. virtūte, thanks to.[2]
  7. (Medieval Latin) A miracle; a relic.[9]

Word family

  • virtuōsus

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
  7. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  8. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  9. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
Cite this entry

“Virtus.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/virtus. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·