Adjective

(-)

In effect or essence, if not in fact or reality; imitated, simulated.

In fact a defeat on the battlefield, Tet was a virtual victory for the North, owing to its effect on public opinion.

Virtual addressing allows applications to believe that there is much more physical memory than actually exists.

* Fleming

A thing has a virtual existence when it has all the conditions necessary to its actual existence.

* De Quincey

to mask by slight differences in the manners a virtual identity in the substance

Having the power of acting or of invisible efficacy without the agency of the material or measurable part; potential.

* Francis Bacon

Heat and cold have a virtual transition, without communication of substance.

* Milton

Every kind that lives, / Fomented by his virtual power, and warmed.

Nearly, almost. (A relatively recent corruption of meaning, attributed to misuse in advertising and media. )

The angry peasants were a virtual army as they attacked the castle.

* 2012 , Chelsea 6-0 Wolves [http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19632463]

The Chelsea captain was a virtual spectator as he was treated to his side's biggest win for almost two years as Stamford Bridge serenaded him with chants of "there's only one England captain," some 48 hours after he announced his retirement from international football.

Simulated in a computer or online.

The virtual world of his computer game allowed character interaction.

Operating by computer or in cyberspace; not physically present.

a virtual''' assistant; a '''virtual personal trainer

(computing, object-oriented programming, of a class member) Capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.

(physics) Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

Adjective

(en adjective)

Describes a system which is connected (generally electrically) to a larger network.

# Describes a generator or power plant which is connected to the grid.

# Describes a computer which is connected to the Internet or to some other communications service – i.e., not simply with the cable plugged in, but has established a connection to a larger network (e.g., by dialing up).

Available over, or delivered from, the Internet.

* {{quote-magazine, title=No hiding place

, date=2013-05-25, volume=407, issue=8837, page=74, magazine=(The Economist) citation , passage=In America alone, people spent $170 billion on “direct marketing”—junk mail of both the physical and electronic varieties—last year. Yet of those who received unsolicited adverts through the post, only 3% bought anything as a result. If the bumf arrived electronically, the take-up rate was 0.1%. And for online adverts the “conversion” into sales was a minuscule 0.01%.}}

Connected to the Internet.

Available on a computer system, even if not networked.

Describes a system that is active, particularly building facilities (such as power) or a factory or power plant.