virtue

Meanings

Plural: virtues

Noun

• the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong
• any admirable quality or attribute
• morality with respect to sexual relations
• a particular moral excellence
• Accordance with moral principles; conformity of behaviour or thought with the strictures of morality; good moral conduct.
• A particular manifestation of moral excellence in a person; an admirable quality.
• Specifically, each of several qualities held to be particularly important, including the four cardinal virtues, the three theological virtues, or the seven virtues opposed to the seven deadly sins.
• An inherently advantageous or excellent quality of something or someone; a favourable point, an advantage.
• A creature embodying divine power, specifically one of the orders of heavenly beings, traditionally ranked above angels and archangels, and below seraphim and cherubim.
• Specifically, moral conduct in sexual behaviour, especially of women; chastity.
• The inherent power of a god, or other supernatural being.
• The inherent power or efficacy of something (now only in phrases).

Synonyms

chastity, douth, goodness, merit, moral excellence, sexual morality, thew, virtuousness

Antonyms

demerit, foible, vice

Related Words

aretaic, paragon, virago, virile, virtual, virtuosa, virtuosity, virtuoso, virtuous