Word: virtual Part of Speech: adj Etymology: PIE word *wiHrós The adjective is derived from Middle English vertual, virtual [and other forms], from Old French vertüal, vertüelle (modern French virtuel), or from their etymon Medieval Latin virtuālis (“of or pertaining to potency or power; having power to produce an effect, potent; morally virtuous”), from Latin virtūs (“goodness, virtue; manliness, virility”) (from vir (“adult male, man”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (“man”), possibly from *weyh₁- (“to chase, hunt, pursue”)) + -tūs (suffix forming collective or abstract nouns)) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship), modelled after virtuōsus (“good, virtuous”). Sense 4 (“pertaining to a theoretical infinitesimal velocity in a mechanical system that does not violate the system’s constraints”) is borrowed from French virtuel, from Middle French virtuel, from Old French vertüal, vertüelle: see above. The noun is derived from the adjective. Cognates * French virtuel * Italian virtuale * Spanish virtual Pronunciation: /ˈvɜːt͡ʃʊəl/, /ˈvɜːt͡ʃ(ʊ)l/, /ˈvɜɹt͡ʃuəl/, /ˈvɵːt͡ʃuəl/, /ˈvɵːt͡ʃəl/ 1. In effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; also, imitated, simulated. Labels: not-comparable Example: In fact a defeat on the battlefield, Tet was a virtual victory for the North, owing to its effect on public opinion. Example: Virtual addressing allows computer applications to believe that there is much more physical memory than actually exists. 2. For practical purposes, though not technically; almost complete, very near. Labels: not-comparable Example: The angry peasants were a virtual army as they attacked the castle. Example: But it vvas plain, that the general reaſonings vvhich vvere employed againſt that povver, vvent directly to our vvhole legiſlative right; and one part of it could not be yielded to ſuch arguments, vvithout a virtual ſurrender of all the reſt. 3. Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present. Labels: not-comparable Example: a virtual assistant a virtual personal trainer Example: In recent months, hospitals around the country, looking for ways to free up beds for coronavirus patients, began expanding their virtual offerings, launching video doctors' visits and virtual therapy sessions, and rolling out programs to remotely monitor vulnerable patients, like those in nursing homes. 4. Simulated in a computer and/or online. Labels: not-comparable Example: virtual machine virtual memory virtual private network Example: The virtual world of his computer game allowed character interaction. 5. Of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass. Labels: not-comparable 6. Pertaining to a theoretical infinitesimal velocity in a mechanical system that does not violate the system's constraints; also, of other physical quantities: resulting from such a velocity. Labels: not-comparable Example: virtual displacement virtual work 7. Pertaining to a theoretical quality of something which would produce an observable effect if counteracting factors such as friction are disregarded; specifically, of a head of water: producing a certain pressure if friction, etc., is disregarded. Labels: not-comparable 8. Chiefly in virtual focus: of a focus or point: from which light or other radiation apparently emanates; also, of an image: produced by light that appears to diverge from a point beyond the reflecting or refracting surface. Labels: not-comparable 9. Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Labels: not-comparable, particle 10. Of a quantum state: having an intermediate, short-lived, and unobservable nature. Labels: not-comparable 11. Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities. Labels: not-comparable, obsolete Example: [H]is ſenſes flame / Flovv'd from his parts, vvith force ſo virtuall, / It fir'd vvith ſence things meere inſenſuall. Example: Take an Apple, &c. and pricke it vvith a Pin full of Holes, not deepe, and ſmeare it a little vvith Sacke, or Cinnamon vvater, or Spirit of vvine, euery day for ten dayes, to ſee if the Virtuall Heat of the VVine, or Strong VVaters, vvill not Mature it. 12. Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities. Labels: also, figuratively, not-comparable, obsolete, specifically 13. Having the power of acting without the agency of some material or measurable thing; possessing invisible efficacy. Labels: not-comparable, obsolete Example: VVater, being contiguous vvith Aire, Cooleth it, but Moiſteneth it not, except it Vapour. The Cauſe is, for that Heat, and Cold haue a Virtuall Tranſition, vvithout Communication of Subſtance; but Moiſture not: […] 14. Producing, or able to produce, some result; effective, efficacious. Labels: not-comparable, obsolete Example: For Dr. [John] Dee, in his Mathematical Preface to Euclids Elements of Geometrie, hath vvorthily taken pains to make Architecture a Mathematical Science; and as a vertual Proof of his ovvn Learned Plea, quotes tvvo Authentique Authors, viz. Vitruvius and Leo Baptiſta [i.e., Leon Battista Alberti], […] 15. Synonym of virtuous (“full of virtue; having excellent moral character”). Labels: not-comparable, obsolete Example: The moſt in ſoule deiected; the moſt baſe, / And moſt vnſeruiceable weede, vnles / You by your heauenly Influence change his vilenes / Into a vertuall habit fit for vſe. Example: Her the grim conqueror's iron might / Avengeing clutched, distrusting rent; / […] / Not virtual France, the France benevolent, / The chivalrous, the many-stringed, sublime / At intervals, and oft in sweetest chime; […]