virtual
UK /ˈvɜːt͡ʃʊəl/ · US /ˈvɜɹt͡ʃuəl/ adjective, noun
Forms virtuals vertual virtuall vertuall
- adjective 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.”
- adjective For practical purposes, though not technically; almost complete, very near. “The angry peasants were a virtual army as they attacked the castle.”
- adjective Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present. “a virtual assistant a virtual personal trainer”
- adjective Simulated in a computer and/or online. “virtual machine virtual memory virtual private network”
- adjective (object-oriented programming) Of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.
- adjective (mechanics) 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”
- adjective 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.
- adjective (optics) 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.
- noun (uncountable) Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this.
- noun (uncountable) 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.
- noun (countable, programming) A virtual (adjective sense 3.3) member function of a class.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
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.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Having the power of acting or of invisible efficacy without the agency of the material or sensible part; potential; energizing.
- adjective Being in essence or effect, not in fact; as, the virtual presence of a man in his agent or substitute.
Etymology [Cf. F. virtuel. See Virtue.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “virtual”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details