1 [U] behaviour which shows high moral standards 高尚的品德;德行;美德:
to lead a life of virtue过有德行的生活 [SYN] goodness 同义词为goodness
2 [C] a good quality or habit 美德;好品性;好习惯:
Patience is a great virtue.忍耐是极大的美德。☞Look at vice. 参看vice。
3 [C,U] the virtue (of sth/of being/doing sth) an advantage or a useful quality of sth 优点;好处;长处:
This new material has the virtue of being strong as well as very light.这种新材料的好处是既结实又轻巧。
by virtue of sth(formal 正式) by means of sth or because of sth 借助;因为;由于