virtual

adjective vertual · virtuall · vertuall

1. not comparable In effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; also, imitated, simulated. In fact a defeat on the battlefield, Tet was a virtual victory for the North, owing to its effect on public opinion.

   Similar: de facto · Opposite: actual, real, true, veritable

2. not comparable For practical purposes, though not technically; almost complete, very near. The angry peasants were a virtual army as they attacked the castle.
3. not comparable Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present. a virtual assistant; a virtual personal trainer
4. not comparable Simulated in a computer and/or online. virtual machine; virtual memory; virtual private network
5. not comparable Of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.
6. not comparable Pertaining to a theoretical infinitesimal velocity in a mechanical system that does not violate the system's constraints; also, of other physical quantities: resulting from such a velocity. virtual displacement; virtual work
7. not comparable Pertaining to a theoretical quality of something which would produce an observable effect if counteracting factors such as friction are disregarded; specifically, of a head of water: producing a certain pressure if friction, etc., is disregarded.
8. not comparable Chiefly in virtual focus: of a focus or point: from which light or other radiation apparently emanates; also, of an image: produced by light that appears to diverge from a point beyond the reflecting or refracting surface.

   Opposite: real

9. not comparable, particle Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
10. not comparable Of a quantum state: having an intermediate, short-lived, and unobservable nature.
11. not comparable, obsolete Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities. [H]is ſenſes flame / Flovv'd from his parts, vvith force ſo virtuall, / It fir'd vvith ſence things meere inſenſuall.
12. also, figuratively, not comparable, obsolete, specifically Of a plant or other thing: having strong healing powers; virtuous.
13. not comparable, obsolete Having the power of acting without the agency of some material or measurable thing; possessing invisible efficacy. VVater, being contiguous vvith Aire, Cooleth it, but Moiſteneth it not, except it Vapour. The Cauſe is, for that Heat, and Cold haue a Virtuall Tranſition, vvithout Communication of Subſtance; but Moiſture not: […]
14. not comparable, obsolete Producing, or able to produce, some result; effective, efficacious. For Dr. [John] Dee, in his Mathematical Preface to Euclids Elements of Geometrie, hath vvorthily taken pains to make Architecture a Mathematical Science; and as a vertual Proof of his ovvn Learned Plea, quotes tvvo Authentique Authors, viz. Vitruvius and Leo Baptiſta [i.e., Leon Battista Alberti], [
15. not comparable, obsolete Synonym of virtuous (“full of virtue; having excellent moral character”). The moſt in ſoule deiected; the moſt baſe, / And moſt vnſeruiceable weede, vnles / You by your heauenly Influence change his vilenes / Into a vertuall habit fit for vſe.

    Similar: virtuous

Similar: cyberreal

noun virtuals

1. uncountable Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this.
2. uncountable That which is simulated in a computer and/or online; virtual reality; (countable) an instance of this; specifically (gambling), a computer simulation of a real-world sport such as horse racing.
3. countable A virtual (adjective sense 3.3) member function of a class.