virtus Latin · revision 7666

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cato|origins=ine-pro *wiHrós}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈwɪr.tuːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈvir.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''virtūs''' ''f'' (genitive virtūtis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[vir]] “man” with the suffix [[-tūs]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) Köbler traces ⟨vir⟩ to [[ine-pro|*wiHrós|t=man]].^(Köbler 2010) Old forms are the ablative ⟨virtūtī⟩ in Plautus and ⟨virtūtei⟩ in inscriptions.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Isidore defines it as great strength of the body in labour.^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Cato, of manly resolve.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==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.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) From Plautus it meant excellence of mind or character, merit, a particular virtue, and any valuable quality, and ''virtūte'' with a genitive “thanks to”.^(OLD 2012) From Lucilius it meant moral excellence, virtue, and in Cicero it was a goddess.^(OLD 2012) In Cicero it meant excellence of style, and in Vitruvius efficacy, a special property.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''virtūs'' is virtue shown in deserving deeds, while ''ferōcia'' is natural wild courage.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant virtue, power, excellence, strength, a host.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for the power to work miracles, a miracle, a relic, and a church as property.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in Italian ''virtù'', French ''vertu'' and Spanish ''virtud'', and Old French ''vertu'' gave [[en|virtue]] about 1200.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) Medieval Latin ''virtuālis'' gave [[en|virtual]].^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of manly resolve.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of valour in war.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius uses it of moral virtue.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1200 – English ''virtue'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Manliness, courage, [[m|en|valour]]; vigour.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Excellence, worth, merit; a particular merit.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Moral excellence, [[m|en|virtue]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''Virtūs'', the goddess.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Any excellence; potency, [[m|en|efficacy]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''virtūte'', thanks to.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|miracle]]; a relic.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[virtuōsus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[vir]]

+ * [[en|virtue]]

+ * [[en|virtual]]

+ * [[en|virtuoso]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}