Defn: The condition, pursuits, or occupation of a virtuoso. Bp. Hurd.
VIRTUOUS Vir"tu*ous, a. Etym: [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. [Obs.] Old Priam's son, amongst them all, was chiefly virtuous. Chapman.
(b) Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative; efficacious; potent. [Obs.] 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.
VIRULENCE; VIRULENCY Vir"u*lence, Vir"u*len*cy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. virulence, L. virulentia an offensive odor, a stench.]
1. The quality or state of being virulent or venomous; poisonousness; malignancy.
2. Extreme bitterness or malignity of disposition. "Refuted without satirical virulency." Barrow. The virulence of one declaimer, or the profundities and sublimities of the other. I. Taylor.
VIRULENT Vir"u*lent, a. Etym: [L. virulentus, fr. virus poison: cf. F. virulent. See Virus.]