1. Moral Excellence: This is the most common meaning. Virtue refers to a quality that is considered morally good and desirable. It encompasses traits like honesty, compassion, courage, kindness, justice, temperance, and wisdom. These virtues are often seen as the foundation of a good and ethical life.
2. Power or Efficacy: This meaning is less common nowadays but was more prevalent in older English. It refers to a quality or property that makes something effective or powerful. For example, you might say a medicine has "virtue" if it is effective in treating an illness.
Here are some examples of how "virtue" is used:
* Moral Excellence: "She is a woman of great virtue."
* Power or Efficacy: "The herb was believed to have medicinal virtues."
It's important to note that the meaning of "virtue" can sometimes be ambiguous depending on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words and the overall message to determine which meaning is intended.