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Virtual
Definitions
- 1 In effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; also, imitated, simulated. not-comparable
"In fact a defeat on the battlefield, Tet was a virtual victory for the North, owing to its effect on public opinion."
- 2 For practical purposes, though not technically; almost complete, very near. not-comparable
"The angry peasants were a virtual army as they attacked the castle."
- 3 Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present. not-comparable
"a virtual assistant a virtual personal trainer"
- 4 Simulated in a computer and/or online. not-comparable
"virtual machine virtual memory virtual private network"
- 5 Of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass. not-comparable
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- 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. not-comparable
"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. 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. not-comparable
- 9 Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. not-comparable, particle
- 10 Of a quantum state: having an intermediate, short-lived, and unobservable nature. not-comparable
- 11 Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities. not-comparable, obsolete
"[H]is ſenſes flame / Flovv'd from his parts, vvith force ſo virtuall, / It fir'd vvith ſence things meere inſenſuall."
- 12 Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities.; Of a plant or other thing: having strong healing powers; virtuous. also, figuratively, not-comparable, obsolete, specifically
- 13 Having the power of acting without the agency of some material or measurable thing; possessing invisible efficacy. not-comparable, obsolete
"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. not-comparable, obsolete
"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”). not-comparable, obsolete
"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."
- 1 existing in essence or effect though not in actual fact wordnet
- 2 being actually such in almost every respect wordnet
- 1 Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this. uncountable
- 2 Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this.; That which is simulated in a computer and/or online; virtual reality; (countable) an instance of this; specifically (gambling), a computer simulation of a real-world sport such as horse racing. uncountable
- 3 A virtual (adjective adjective sense 3.3) member function of a class. countable
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”). Adjective 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
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”). Adjective 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
See also for "virtual"
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