virtuoso

Where does the word "virtuoso" come from? It comes from Italian virtuoso, and was adopted directly into English (1660s).

Virtuoso’s story begins in Italian: virtuoso meant “skilled, virtuous.” Literally virtuous, skilled, applied to a highly accomplished performer. It reached English by 1660s as virtuoso. Settled as the English word for a highly skilled performer. Today, virtuoso means a person highly skilled in a particular art, especially music.

1. Stage 1 · Italian · 1600s virtuoso "skilled, virtuous", literally virtuous, skilled, applied to a highly accomplished performer.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1660s virtuoso "a highly skilled performer, especially a musician", settled as the English word for a highly skilled performer.