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VIRTUOUS
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I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
In a state of sexual virginity
Example:
men have decreed that their women must be pure and virginal
Synonyms:
pure; vestal; virgin; virginal; virtuous
Classified under:
Similar:
chaste (morally pure (especially not having experienced sexual intercourse))
Derivation:
virtue (morality with respect to sexual relations)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Morally excellent
Classified under:
Similar:
impeccable (not capable of sin)
impeccant; innocent; sinless (free from sin)
Also:
chaste (morally pure (especially not having experienced sexual intercourse))
good (morally admirable)
moral (concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles)
pious (having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity)
righteous (characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice)
Antonym:
wicked (morally bad in principle or practice)
Derivation:
virtue (the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong)
virtue (a particular moral excellence)
virtuousness (the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong)
Context examples:
Nay, these are virtuous and immaculate beings!
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
Mr. Micawber walked so erect before his fellow man, on the strength of this virtuous action, that his chest looked half as broad again when he lighted us downstairs.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
It's highly virtuous to say we'll be good, but we can't do it all at once, and it takes a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together before some of us even get our feet set in the right way.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
The wise and virtuous Houyhnhnms, who abound in all excellences that can adorn a rational creature, have no name for this vice in their language, which has no terms to express any thing that is evil, except those whereby they describe the detestable qualities of their Yahoos, among which they were not able to distinguish this of pride, for want of thoroughly understanding human nature, as it shows itself in other countries where that animal presides.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
Was man, indeed, at once so powerful, so virtuous and magnificent, yet so vicious and base?
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
So I said, in a graver manner than any of us had yet assumed: She is as virtuous as she is pretty.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Jo was very much relieved that one of his virtuous fits should come on just then, and made her preparations with a lightened heart, for Beth seemed more cheerful, and hoped she was doing the best for all.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
But this description, I confess, does by no means affect the British nation, who may be an example to the whole world for their wisdom, care, and justice in planting colonies; their liberal endowments for the advancement of religion and learning; their choice of devout and able pastors to propagate Christianity; their caution in stocking their provinces with people of sober lives and conversations from this the mother kingdom; their strict regard to the distribution of justice, in supplying the civil administration through all their colonies with officers of the greatest abilities, utter strangers to corruption; and, to crown all, by sending the most vigilant and virtuous governors, who have no other views than the happiness of the people over whom they preside, and the honour of the king their master.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
To be a great and virtuous man appeared the highest honour that can befall a sensitive being; to be base and vicious, as many on record have been, appeared the lowest degradation, a condition more abject than that of the blind mole or harmless worm.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
I had taught her what I could, for the love of all her beautiful and virtuous qualities.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
