virtue

Where does the word "virtue" come from? It comes from Latin virtus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Virtue’s story begins in Latin: virtus meant “manliness, moral excellence.” Manliness, valor, moral excellence, from vir (a man). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as vertu. Carried into French for moral goodness and excellence. It reached English by 1200s as virtue. Settled as the English word for high moral standards. Today, virtue means behavior showing high moral standards, or a good and admirable quality.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient virtus "manliness, moral excellence", manliness, valor, moral excellence, from vir (a man).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval vertu "moral goodness, excellence", carried into French for moral goodness and excellence.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s virtue "behavior showing high moral standards", settled as the English word for high moral standards.