virtu

American  

[ver-too, vur-too] / vərˈtu, ˈvɜr tu /

Or vertu

noun

1. excellence or merit in objects of art, curios, and the like.

2. (used with a plural verb) such objects or articles collectively.

3. a taste for or knowledge of such objects.

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virtu British  

/ vɜːˈtuː /

noun

1. a taste or love for curios or works of fine art; connoisseurship

2. such objects collectively

3. 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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Etymology

Origin of virtu

First recorded in 1715–25; from Italian virtù, vertù “worth, maleness, strength”; virtue

Example Sentences

For example, Machiavelli appears and discusses his philosophical concept of "virtu" – the qualities needed to be a leader – with the hero Ezio.

From The Guardian • Mar. 15, 2011

Scientists have discovered that each species and strain has a distinctive "fingerprint" that can be used for virtu ally immediate identification.

From Time Magazine Archive

Courting private cap ital, the new regime has returned virtu ally all foreign properties seized by Sukarno, promised tax holidays and easy repatriation of profits to all newcomers.

From Time Magazine Archive

But large further sums were spent on such bric-a- brackery, such articles of virtu, as 37 bronze-labeled stones from foreign countries in the "Hall of Nations."

From Time Magazine Archive

Old Tiller can't impart much lore concerning art, or tell the price of virtu nice until he breaks your heart.

From Rippling Rhymes by Mason, Walt