vertu

[ver-too, vur-too]

noun

virtu.

virtu

or ver·tu

[ver-too, vur-too]

noun

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.

Origin of virtu

1715–25; < Italian virtù, vertù virtue

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for vertus

Historical Examples of vertus

The Vertus growths rank among the second-class Champagne crus.
A History of Champagne
Henry Vizetelly
The wine of Vertus ranks among the second-class champagne crs.
Facts About Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines
Henry Vizetelly
In 1880 the Vertus wine realised the remarkably high price of from 1200 to 1400 francs the pice.
A History of Champagne
Henry Vizetelly

British Dictionary definitions for vertus

vertu

noun

a variant spelling of virtu

virtu

vertu

noun

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)

Word Origin for virtu

C18: from Italian virtù; see virtue

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for vertus

virtu

"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.