| 释义 |
ˈvirtuousness
Also 5 vertuosenes, 5–6 -uousnes (6 -uouseness), 6–7 -nesse, 6–8 -ness; 6 vertousnes, -usnes, Sc. -eousnes.
[f. as prec.]
†1. The condition of being endowed with inherent virtue or power. Obs.—1
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. viii. xvi. (1495) v vij b/1 The sonne..hath a vertu of plente [1535 plentiful] vertuousnes for he yeuyth vertu of generacion to thyse nether thynges.
2. The state or condition of being virtuous; virtuous quality or character; moral rectitude; goodness, probity.
c1449Pecock Repr. i. xvii. 96 Thei laborid euere in mekenes for to haue it in greet mesure, whilis thei myȝten haue laborid forto haue had kunnyng of moral vertuosenes. 1528Roy Rede me ii. (Arb.) 72 They are slaunder of vertousnes, Occasion vnto viciousnes. 1576Newton Lemnie's Complex. (1633) 39 Behaviour, countenance, rayment,..all smells of vertuousnesse. 1608L. Machin Dumbe Knight iii, I know you hate me for my vertuousnesse. 1650Baxter Saints' R. iii. xi. (1662) 471 And so their chief Virtuousness lieth in that Will or Love which is contained in them. 1736Butler Anal. i. iii. §4 The pleasure or advantage in this case is gained by the action itself, not by the morality, the virtuousness or viciousness of it. 1754Edwards Freed. Will iii. vi. (1762) 178 In order to the Vertuousness of an Act, the Heart must be indifferent in the Time of the Performance of that Act. 1833Chalmers Const. Man (1835) I. i. 100 He meddles not with the virtuousness either of humanity or justice. 1865J. Grote Moral Ideals viii. (1876) 117 But that is a very low degree of virtuousness where conscience does no more than guard from wrong action. 1879H. Spencer Data of Ethics iii. 38 Perfection of nature, or virtuousness of action.
†3. High or worthy character; excellence, merit. Obs.—1
1525Ld. Berners tr. Froiss. II. xxvi. 71 heading, Of the great vertuousnesse and largesse that was in therle of Foiz. |