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 virtu
Historical Examples
Many are chosen, as you see, with little deference to the opinions of Virtu.
The Works of Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe
By John Jones, Esq., pictures and virtu amounting to 240,000.
Travels in South KensingtonMoncure Daniel Conway
On every side was to be seen rich hangings and articles of virtu.
Old Broadbrim Into the Heart of AustraliaAuthor of "Old Broadbrim"
That is a country replete with articles of virtu, the only thing is to find them.
The Life of a Celebrated BuccaneerRichard Clynton
For virtu, I have a little to entertain you—it is my sole pleasure.
The Wits and Beaux of SocietyGrace & Philip Wharton
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 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