adj. 1. Existing or resulting in essence or effect though not in actual fact, form, or name: the virtual extinction of the buffalo. 2. Existing in the mind, especially as a product of the imagination. Used in literary criticism of a text. 3. Computers a. Existing as or by means of digital media: a virtual classroom. b. Relating to or existing in virtual reality: a virtual encounter in a chatroom. c. Emulating the function of another system or device. [Middle English virtuall, effective, from Medieval Latin virtuālis, from Latin virtūs, excellence; see VIRTUE.] vir′tu·ali·ty (-ălĭ-tē) n. |
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