virtu

views updated May 14 2018

vir·tu / ˌvərˈtoō/ (also ver·tu) • n. 1. knowledge of or expertise in the fine arts. ∎  curios or objets d'art collectively. 2. poetic/lit. the good qualities inherent in a person or thing.PHRASES: article (or object) of virtu an article that is interesting because of its antiquity, beauty, quality of workmanship, etc.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

virtu

views updated Jun 27 2018

virtu, vertu taste for works of art. XVIII. — It. virtù (see next) used in this sense.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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