Vir″tu‐ous (?; 135), a. [OE. vertuous, OF. vertuos, vertuous, F. vertueux, fr. L. Virtuous. See Virtue, and cf. Virtuoso.] 1. Possessing or exhibiting virtue. Specifically: —
(a) Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous; valiant; brave.
Old Priam's son, amongst them all, was chiefly virtuous. Chapman.
(b) Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative; efficacious; potent. Chaucer.
Lifting up his virtuous staff on high,
He smote the sea, which calméd was with speed. Spenser.
Every virtuous plant and healing herb. Milton.
(c) Having moral excellence; characterized by morality; upright; righteous; pure; as, a virtuous action.
The virtuous mind that ever walks attended
By a strong siding champion, conscience. Milton.
2. Chaste; pure; — applied especially to women.
Mistress Ford... the virtuous creature, that hath the jealous fool to her husband. Shak.
— Vir″tu‐ous‐ly, adv. — Vir″tu‐ous‐ness, n.