VIRTUOUS

pure, vestal, virgin, virginal, virtuous

(adjective) in a state of sexual virginity; “pure and vestal modesty”; “a spinster or virgin lady”; “men have decreed that their women must be pure and virginal”

virtuous

(adjective) morally excellent

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

virtuous (comparative more virtuous, superlative most virtuous)

Full of virtue, having excellent moral character.

Synonyms

• good

• righteous

Source: Wiktionary

Vir"tu*ous, a. Etym: [OE. vertuous, OF. vertuos, vertuous, F. vertueux, fr. L. Virtuous. See Virtue, and cf. Virtuoso.]

1. Possessing or exhibiting virtue. Specifically: -- (a) Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous; valiant; brave. [Obs.] Old Priam's son, amongst them all, was chiefly virtuous. Chapman.

(b) Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative; efficacious; potent. [Obs.] Chaucer. Lifting up his virtuous staff on high, He smote the sea, which calméd was with speed. Spenser. Every virtuous plant and healing herb. Milton.

(c) Having moral excellence; characterized by morality; upright; righteous; pure; as, a virtuous action. The virtuous mind that ever walks attended By a strong siding champion, conscience. Milton.

2. Chaste; pure; -- applied especially to women. Mistress Ford . . . the virtuous creature, that hath the jealous fool to her husband. Shak.

– Vir"tu*ous*ly, adv.

– Vir"tu*ous*ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition