Dictionary

virtual en · ADJ

Pronunciation

[ˈvɵːt͡ʃɯ(l)] (New-Zealand)
/ˈvɜːt͡ʃ(ʊ)l/ (Received-Pronunciation)
(Southern-England) audio
/ˈvɜːt͡ʃʊəl/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/ˈvɵːt͡ʃəl/ (New-Zealand)
/ˈvɜɹt͡ʃuəl/ (General-American)
/ˈvɵːt͡ʃuəl/ (New-Zealand)

Etymology

PIE word *wiHrós The adjective is derived from Middle English vertual, virtual [and other forms], from Old French vertüal, vertüelle (modern French virtuel), or from their etymon Medieval Latin virtuālis (“of or pertaining to potency or power; having power to produce an effect, potent; morally virtuous”), from Latin virtūs (“goodness, virtue; manliness, virility”) (from vir (“adult male, man”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (“man”), possibly from *weyh₁- (“to chase, hunt, pursue”)) + -tūs (suffix forming collective or abstract nouns)) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship), modelled after virtuōsus (“good, virtuous”). Sense 4 (“pertaining to a theoretical infinitesimal velocity in a mechanical system that does not violate the system’s constraints”) is borrowed from French virtuel, from Middle French virtuel, from Old French vertüal, vertüelle: see above. The noun is derived from the adjective. Cognates * French virtuel * Italian virtuale * Spanish virtual

Meanings

(not-comparable) In effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; also, 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 is opposed to actual.— […] A thing has a virtual existence when it has all the conditions necessary to its actual existence. The statue exists virtually in the brass or iron, the oak in the acorn. 1857, William Fleming, “VIRTUAL”, in The Vocabulary of Philosophy, Mental, Moral, and Metaphysical; […], London; Glasgow: Richard Griffin and Company, →OCLC, page 542:
- [W]e affirm, that Christ is really taken by faith, by the Spirit, to all real effects of his passion; they say, he is taken by the mouth, and that the spiritual and the virtual taking him, in virtue or effect, is not sufficient, though done also in the sacrament. 1653 (indicated as 1654), “The Real Presence and Spiritual of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, Proved against the Doctrine of Transubstantiation. Section I. State of the Question.”, in Reginald Heber, editor, The Whole Works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor, D.D. […], volume IX, London: Ogle, Duncan, and Co. […]; and Richard Priestley, […], published 1822, →OCLC, paragraph 13, page 432:
- And the true art for such popular display is to contrive the best forms for appearing to say something new, when in reality you are but echoing yourself; to break up massy chords into running variations; and to mask, by slight differences in the manner, a virtual identity in the substance. 1840, Thomas De Quincey, “Style”, in Critical Suggestions on Style and Rhetoric with German Tales and Other Narrative Papers (De Quincey’s Works; XI), London: James Hogg & Sons, published 1859, →OCLC, part I, page 165:
- Virtual addressing allows computer applications to believe that there is much more physical memory than actually exists.
(not-comparable) For practical purposes, though not technically; almost complete, very near.
- But it vvas plain, that the general reaſonings vvhich vvere employed againſt that povver, vvent directly to our vvhole legiſlative right; and one part of it could not be yielded to ſuch arguments, vvithout a virtual ſurrender of all the reſt. 1769, [Edmund Burke], Observations on a Late State of the Nation, London: […] J[ames] Dodsley, […], →OCLC, page 77:
- The angry peasants were a virtual army as they attacked the castle.
- The Chelsea captain [John Terry] 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. 2012 September 24, “Capital One Cup Third Round: Chelsea 6 – 0 Wolves”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 25 Nov 2012:
(not-comparable) Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present.
- In recent months, hospitals around the country, looking for ways to free up beds for coronavirus patients, began expanding their virtual offerings, launching video doctors' visits and virtual therapy sessions, and rolling out programs to remotely monitor vulnerable patients, like those in nursing homes. 2020 August 10, Abigail Abrams, “Tech Companies are Transforming People’s Bedrooms into ‘Virtual Hospitals.’ Will It Last Post-COVID?”, in Time, New York, N.Y.: Time Warner Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 28 Mar 2023:
- a virtual assistant a virtual personal trainer
(not-comparable) Simulated in a computer and/or online.
- The virtual world of his computer game allowed character interaction.
- virtual machine virtual memory virtual private network
(not-comparable, qualifier:object-oriented programming) Of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.
(not-comparable) Pertaining to a theoretical infinitesimal velocity in a mechanical system that does not violate the system's constraints; also, of other physical quantities: resulting from such a velocity.
- virtual displacement virtual work
(not-comparable) Pertaining to a theoretical quality of something which would produce an observable effect if counteracting factors such as friction are disregarded; specifically, of a head of water: producing a certain pressure if friction, etc., is disregarded.
(not-comparable) Chiefly in virtual focus: of a focus or point: from which light or other radiation apparently emanates; also, of an image: produced by light that appears to diverge from a point beyond the reflecting or refracting surface.
(not-comparable, particle) Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
(not-comparable, qualifier:quantum mechanics) Of a quantum state: having an intermediate, short-lived, and unobservable nature.
(not-comparable, obsolete) Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities.
- RAIN is generally accounted to be a crude Vapour of the Earth, but more eſpecially of the Sea, dravvn up from thence by the attractive Povver of the Sun, or carry'd thithervvard by Pulſion, and vvafted by the VVinds into the Aerial Region; by vvhich Sublimation and Rarefaction, and the virtual Qualities of the Sun and Air, it is form'd into Clouds. 1733, Philip Miller, “RAIN”, in The Gardeners Dictionary: […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: […] C[harles] Rivington, […], →OCLC, column 1:
- [H]is [God's] Omnipreſence fills / Land, Sea, and Aire, and every kinde that lives, / Fomented by his virtual power and warmd: […] 1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 336–338:
- [H]is ſenſes flame / Flovv'd from his parts, vvith force ſo virtuall, / It fir'd vvith ſence things meere inſenſuall. 1598, George Chapman, “Third Sestyad”, in Christopher Marlo[w]e, George Chapman, Hero and Leander: […], London: […] A[ugustine] M[atthews] for Richard Hawkins: […], published 1629, →OCLC:
- Take an Apple, &c. and pricke it vvith a Pin full of Holes, not deepe, and ſmeare it a little vvith Sacke, or Cinnamon vvater, or Spirit of vvine, euery day for ten dayes, to ſee if the Virtuall Heat of the VVine, or Strong VVaters, vvill not Mature it. 1631, Francis [Bacon], “IV. Century. [Experiments in Consort Touching Maturation, and the Accelerating thereof. And First Touching the Maturation and Quickening of Drinks. And Next Touching the Maturation of Fruits..]”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], 3rd edition, London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, paragraph 326, page 84:
(also, figuratively, not-comparable, obsolete, specifically) Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities. ▸ Of a plant or other thing: having strong healing powers; virtuous.
(not-comparable, obsolete) Having the power of acting without the agency of some material or measurable thing; possessing invisible efficacy.
- VVater, being contiguous vvith Aire, Cooleth it, but Moiſteneth it not, except it Vapour. The Cauſe is, for that Heat, and Cold haue a Virtuall Tranſition, vvithout Communication of Subſtance; but Moiſture not: […] 1631, Francis [Bacon], “IX. Century. [Experiment Solitary, Touching the Working of Water vpon Aire Contiguous.]”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], 3rd edition, London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, paragraph 865, page 223:
(not-comparable, obsolete) Producing, or able to produce, some result; effective, efficacious.
- For Dr. [John] Dee, in his Mathematical Preface to Euclids Elements of Geometrie, hath vvorthily taken pains to make Architecture a Mathematical Science; and as a vertual Proof of his ovvn Learned Plea, quotes tvvo Authentique Authors, viz. Vitruvius and Leo Baptiſta [i.e., Leon Battista Alberti], […] 1683, Joseph Moxon, “Numb[er] I. Applied to the Art of Printing. Preface.”, in Mechanick Exercises: Or, The Doctrine of Handy-Works. Applied to the Art of Printing. […], volume II, London: […] Joseph Moxon […], →OCLC, pages 5–6:
(not-comparable, obsolete) Synonym of virtuous (“full of virtue; having excellent moral character”).
- Her the grim conqueror's iron might / Avengeing clutched, distrusting rent; / […] / Not virtual France, the France benevolent, / The chivalrous, the many-stringed, sublime / At intervals, and oft in sweetest chime; […] 1898, George Meredith, “Alsace-Lorraine”, in Odes in Contribution to the Song of French History, Westminster, London: Archibald Constable and Co […], →OCLC, stanza X, page 91:
- The moſt in ſoule deiected; the moſt baſe, / And moſt vnſeruiceable weede, vnles / You by your heauenly Influence change his vilenes / Into a vertuall habit fit for vſe. 1607, Thomas Dekker, “The Whore of Babylon. […]”, in The Dramatic Works of Thomas Dekker […], volume II, London: John Pearson […], published 1873, →OCLC, page 216:

Forms

Spelling	Labels	Source
virtuall	alternative	lexicographic
vertual	alternative	lexicographic
vertuall	alternative	lexicographic

Translations (110)

ca virtual (simulated in a computer and/or online) · he ווירטואלי (simulated in a computer and/or online) · ga fíorúil (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · he כאילו (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · fi virtuaali- (pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle) · el εικονικός (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · cmn 虛擬 /虚拟 (simulated in a computer and/or online) · ar خَيَالِيّ (simulated in a computer and/or online) · bg виртуа́лен (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · la virtualis (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · id maya (simulated in a computer and/or online) · ga fíorúil (simulated in a computer and/or online) · gl virtual (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · uk я́к би (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · fr virtuel (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · el εικονικός (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · fi virtuaalinen (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · id maya (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · fi virtuaalinen (pertaining to a theoretical quality of something which would produce an observable effect if counteracting factors such as friction are disregarded) · ca virtual (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · ca virtual (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · fi virtuaalinen (simulated in a computer and/or online) · kk виртуалдық (simulated in a computer and/or online) · fi virtuaali- (operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present) · fi virtuaalinen (pertaining to a theoretical infinitesimal velocity in a mechanical system that does not violate the system’s constraints; of other physical quantities: resulting from such a velocity) · ka რეალურად (for practical purposes, though not technically) · be віртуа́льны (simulated in a computer and/or online) · pl wirtualny (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · ja バーチャル (simulated in a computer and/or online) · ru виртуа́льный (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · it virtuale (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · uk віртуа́льний (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · bg виртуа́лен (simulated in a computer and/or online) · fi näennäis- (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · fr virtuel (simulated in a computer and/or online) · hu virtuális (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · el εικονικός (simulated in a computer and/or online) · mi mariko (simulated in a computer and/or online) · fi virtuaalinen (operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present) · mk виртуе́лен (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · da virtuel (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · pt virtual (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · hu virtuális (simulated in a computer and/or online) · mk виртуе́лен (simulated in a computer and/or online) · he ווירטואלי (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · tr sanal (simulated in a computer and/or online) · fi melkein (for practical purposes, though not technically) · gl virtual (simulated in a computer and/or online) · de virtuell (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · ja ほとんど (for practical purposes, though not technically) · ru бу́дто бы (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · pms virtual (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · ko 사실상의 (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · es virtual (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · ms maya (simulated in a computer and/or online) · de fast (for practical purposes, though not technically) · wa forveyou (simulated in a computer and/or online) · ru виртуа́льный (simulated in a computer and/or online) · ca virtual (for practical purposes, though not technically) · fi etä- (operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present) · mi mariko (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · cs virtuální (simulated in a computer and/or online) · de eigentlich (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · ne भर्चूअल (simulated in a computer and/or online) · bn ভার্চুয়াল (simulated in a computer and/or online) · pl wirtualny (simulated in a computer and/or online) · de computersimuliert (simulated in a computer and/or online) · ro virtual (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · uk віртуальний (simulated in a computer and/or online) · es virtual (for practical purposes, though not technically) · he כביכול (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · sv virtuell (simulated in a computer and/or online) · pl dosłowny (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · hi वर्चुअल (simulated in a computer and/or online) · ka ფაქტობრივად (for practical purposes, though not technically) · fi virtuaali- (of a quantum state: having an intermediate, short-lived, and unobservable nature) · th เสมือนจริง (simulated in a computer and/or online) · yue 虛擬 /虚拟 (simulated in a computer and/or online) · es virtual (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · fi teoreettinen (pertaining to a theoretical quality of something which would produce an observable effect if counteracting factors such as friction are disregarded) · fr pratiquement (for practical purposes, though not technically) · de praktisch wie (for practical purposes, though not technically) · kk виртуалды (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · ka ფაქტიური (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · fi näennäinen (pertaining to a theoretical quality of something which would produce an observable effect if counteracting factors such as friction are disregarded) · ja 仮想の (simulated in a computer and/or online) · fi virtuaalinen (of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass) · pt virtual (simulated in a computer and/or online) · fi virtuaalinen (pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle) · kk виртуалды (simulated in a computer and/or online) · mk ви́стински (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · eo virtuala (simulated in a computer and/or online) · nl virtueel (simulated in a computer and/or online) · fi vale- (of a focus or point: from which light or other radiation apparently emanates; of an image: produced by light that appears to diverge from a point beyond the reflecting or refracting surface) · fi näennäinen (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · tr neredeyse (for practical purposes, though not technically) · ka ვირტუალური (simulated in a computer and/or online) · it virtuale (simulated in a computer and/or online) · pt virtual (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · pl rzeczywisty (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · es virtual (simulated in a computer and/or online) · ja 事実上の (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · nl virtueel (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · gl virtual (for practical purposes, though not technically) · tr sanal (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · fa مجازی (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · gl virtual (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality) · ka თითქმის (for practical purposes, though not technically) · fi virtuaalinen (of a quantum state: having an intermediate, short-lived, and unobservable nature) · ru сло́вно (in effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality)

virtual en · NOUN

Pronunciation

[ˈvɵːt͡ʃɯ(l)] (New-Zealand)
/ˈvɜːt͡ʃ(ʊ)l/ (Received-Pronunciation)
(Southern-England) audio
/ˈvɜːt͡ʃʊəl/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/ˈvɵːt͡ʃəl/ (New-Zealand)
/ˈvɜɹt͡ʃuəl/ (General-American)
/ˈvɵːt͡ʃuəl/ (New-Zealand)

Etymology

Meanings

(uncountable) Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this.
(uncountable) Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this. ▸ That which is simulated in a computer and/or online; virtual reality; (countable) an instance of this; specifically (gambling), a computer simulation of a real-world sport such as horse racing.
(countable) A virtual (adjective sense 3.3) member function of a class.

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
virtuals	Number=Plur		lexicographic

Translations (5)

fi virtuaalimetodi (virtual member function of a class) · fi virtuaalinen (that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; an instance of this) · fi näennäinen (that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; an instance of this) · fi lumetodellisuus (that which is simulated in a computer and/or online; an instance of this — see also virtual reality) · fi virtuaalitodellisuus (that which is simulated in a computer and/or online; an instance of this — see also virtual reality)

virtual en · ADJ

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Antonyms

Deriveds

Synonyms

Translations (110)

virtual en · NOUN

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Translations (5)