vertu
[ver-too, vur-too]
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virtu
or ver·tu
[ver-too, vur-too]
- excellence or merit in objects of art, curios, and the like.
- (used with a plural verb) such objects or articles collectively.
- a taste for or knowledge of such objects.
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Origin of virtu
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for vertus
Historical Examples
The Vertus growths rank among the second-class Champagne crus.
A History of ChampagneHenry Vizetelly
The wine of Vertus ranks among the second-class champagne crs.
Facts About Champagne and Other Sparkling WinesHenry Vizetelly
In 1880 the Vertus wine realised the remarkably high price of from 1200 to 1400 francs the pice.
A History of ChampagneHenry Vizetelly
vertu
- a variant spelling of virtu
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virtu
vertu
- a taste or love for curios or works of fine art; connoisseurship
- such objects collectively
- the quality of being rare, beautiful, or otherwise appealing to a connoisseur (esp in the phrases articles of virtu; objects of virtu)
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Word Origin
C18: from Italian virtù; see virtue
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for vertus
virtu
n.
"excellence in an object of art, passion for works of art," 1722, from Italian virtu "excellence," from Latin virtutem (nominative virtus) "virtue" (see virtue). The same word as virtue, borrowed during a period when everything Italian was in vogue. Sometimes spelled vertu, after French, but this is unjustified, as this sense of the word is not in French.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper