Where does “virtual” come from?
Virtual derives from Middle English virtual, from Medieval Latin virtualis, from Latin virtus meaning excellence or manliness, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European wiHrós meaning man.
virtual (English): In effect or essence, if not in fact or reality;...
Definitions
- In effect or essence, if not in fact or reality;...
Ancestry of “virtual”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | vertual | Having an inherent attribute useful as an effect;... |
| 2 | Medieval Latin | virtualis | worthy, virtuous |
| 3 | Latin | virtūs | manhood, manliness, virility |
| 4 | English | virtue | Accordance with moral principles; conformity of... |
| 5 | Middle English | vertu | An ability, specialty, or feature; Power,... |
| 6 | Anglo-Norman | vertu | valour; honour; goodness; virtue |
| 7 | Latin | virtutem | accusative singular of virtūs; virtue |
| 8 | Latin | virtus | manhood, manliness, virility; courage,... |
| 9 | Latin | vir | man in the sense of "adult male human"; adult,... |
| 10 | Proto-Italic | wiros | a man |
| 11 | Proto-Indo-European | wiHrós | man; husband; warrior, hero |
| 12 | Proto-Indo-European | weyh₁- | to chase, pursue; to suppress, persecute |