United States Founding Dictionary

virtue

1776 Definition:

1. Strength ...

2. Bravery; valor. ...

3. Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law. In this sense, virtue may be, and in many instances must be, distinguished from religion. The practice of moral duties merely from the motives of convenience, or from compulsion, or from regard to reputation, is virtue, as distinct from religion. The practice of moral duties from sincere love to God and his laws, is virtue and religion. In this sense it is true, That virtue only makes our bliss below. Pope. Virtue is nothing but voluntary obedience to truth. Dwight.

4. A particular moral excellence; ...

5. Acting power; something efficacious. Jesus, knowing that virtue had gone out of him, turned - Mark iii.

6. Secret Agency; ...

7. Excellence; ...

8. One of the orders of the celestial hierarchy. Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers. Milton.

9. Efficacy; power ...

10. Legal efficacy or power; authority. ...

- American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster - 1828

Modern Definition:

A quality held to be of great moral value, moral excellence, goodness, female chastity, (of a remedy) power to do good.

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