Emily Dickinson Lexicon

virtue, n. [AFr and OFr < L. virtus, manliness, valor, worth < vir, man.] (webplay: divine, great, makes, presence, visible).

1. Strength; merit; moral choice; character trait; specific moral excellence; [fig.] courage; valor; goodness.
2. Skill; force; edge; influence; capacity; power of a supernatural being; [irony] excellence; superiority; favorable position.