Noun

(obsolete) The inherent power of a god, or other supernatural being.

The inherent power or efficacy of something (now only in phrases).

* 2011 , "The autumn of the patriarchs", The Economist , 17 Feb 2011:

many Egyptians still worry that the Brotherhood, by virtue of discipline and experience, would hold an unfair advantage if elections were held too soon.

(uncountable) Accordance with moral principles; conformity of behaviour or thought with the strictures of morality; good moral conduct.

* 1749 , Henry Fielding, Tom Jones , XV.1:

There are a set of religious, or rather moral, writers, who teach that virtue is the certain road to happiness, and vice to misery, in this world.

A particular manifestation of moral excellence in a person; an admirable quality.

* 1766 , Laurence Sterne, Sermon XLIV:

Some men are modest, and seem to take pains to hide their virtues ; and, from a natural distance and reserve in their tempers, scarce suffer their good qualities to be known [...].

Specifically, each of several qualities held to be particularly important, including the four cardinal virtues, the three theological virtues, or the seven virtues opposed to the seven deadly sins.

* 1813 , John Fleetwood, The Life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ :

The divine virtues of truth and equity are the only bands of friendship, the only supports of society.

An inherently advantageous or excellent quality of something or someone; a favourable point, an advantage.

* 1719 , :

There were divers other plants, which I had no notion of or understanding about, that might, perhaps, have virtues of their own, which I could not find out.

* 2011 , The Guardian , Letter, 14 Mar 2011

One virtue of the present coalition government's attack on access to education could be to reopen the questions raised so pertinently by Robinson in the 1960s [...].

A creature embodying divine power, specifically one of the orders of heavenly beings, traditionally ranked above angels and below archangels.

* 1667 , John Milton, Paradise Lost , Book X:

Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues , Powers; / For in possession such, not only of right, / I call ye, and declare ye now [...].

(uncountable) Specifically, moral conduct in sexual behaviour, especially of women; chastity.

* 1813 , Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice :

though she did not suppose Lydia to be deliberately engaging in an elopement without the intention of marriage, she had no difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey.

Noun

The extent to which time is well used for the intended task.

The efficiency of the planning department is deplorable.

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=September 7 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Moldova 0-5 England , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The display and result must be placed in the context that was it was against a side that looked every bit their Fifa world ranking of 141 - but England completed the job with efficiency to record their biggest away win in 19 years.}}

(dated) The quality of producing an effect or effects.

* Hooker

The manner of this divine efficiency being far above us.

The extent to which a resource, such as electricity, is used for the intended purpose; the ratio of useful work to energy expended.

The efficiency of this loudspeaker is 40%.

(United States) A one-room apartment.

I have an efficiency available June through July.

fully-furnished efficiencies