a. [ OE. vertuous, OF. vertuos, vertuous, F. vertueux, fr. L. Virtuous. See Virtue, and cf. Virtuoso. ] 1. Possessing or exhibiting virtue. Specifically: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

(a) Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous; valiant; brave. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Old Priam's son, amongst them all, was chiefly virtuous. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative; efficacious; potent. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lifting up his virtuous staff on high,
He smote the sea, which calméd was with speed. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every virtuous plant and healing herb. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) Having moral excellence; characterized by morality; upright; righteous; pure; as, a virtuous action. [ 1913 Webster ]

The virtuous mind that ever walks attended
By a strong siding champion, conscience. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Chaste; pure; -- applied especially to women. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mistress Ford . . . the virtuous creature, that hath the jealous fool to her husband. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Vir"tu*ous*ly, adv. -- Vir"tu*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]