In one grain of corn, there lieth dormant a virtuality of many other.
Sir T. Browne.
Vir"tu*al*ly (?), adv. In a virtual manner; in efficacy or effect only,
and not actually; to all intents and purposes; practically.
Vir"tu*ate (?), v. t. To make efficacious; to give virtue of efficacy.
[Obs.] Harvey.
Vir"tue (?; 135), n. [OE. vertu, F. vertu, L. virtus strength, courage,
excellence, virtue, fr. vir a man. See Virile, and cf. Virtu.] 1. Manly
strength or courage; bravery; daring; spirit; valor. [Obs.] Shak.
Built too strong For force or virtue ever to expugn.
Chapman.
2. Active quality or power; capacity or power adequate to the
production of a given effect; energy; strength; potency; efficacy; as,
the virtue of a medicine.
Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him,
turned him about.
Mark v. 30.
A man was driven to depend for his security against misunderstanding,
upon the pure virtue of his syntax.
De Quincey.
The virtue of his midnight agony.
Keble.
3. Energy or influence operating without contact of the material or
sensible substance.
She moves the body which she doth possess, Yet no part toucheth, but by
virtue's touch.
Sir. J. Davies.