vertu

Meaning

Noun

• The fine arts as a subject of study or expertise; understanding of arts and antiquities.
• Objets d'art collectively.
• Especially with reference to the writings of Machiavelli (1469–1527): the requisite qualities for political or military success; vitality, determination; power.
• Moral worth; virtue, virtuousness.

Origin

• Borrowed from Italian virtù, †vertù ("moral worth, virtue (13th century); determination, perseverance, military valour (14th century); study of the liberal or fine arts; appreciation of, taste for, or expertise in the fine arts; objets d'art collectively (16th century)"); or from French vertu, ultimately from Latin virtūt-, virtus. virtue.