virtual
pronunciation
How to pronounce virtual in British English:
UK [ˈvɜːtʃuəl]
How to pronounce virtual in American English:
US [ˈvɜːrtʃuəl]
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- Adjective:
- being actually such in almost every respect
- being such in essence or effect though not in actual fact
Word Origin
- virtual (adj.)
- late 14c., "influencing by physical virtues or capabilities, effective with respect to inherent natural qualities," from Medieval Latin virtualis, from Latin virtus "excellence, potency, efficacy," literally "manliness, manhood" (see virtue). The meaning "being something in essence or effect, though not actually or in fact" is from mid-15c., probably via sense of "capable of producing a certain effect" (early 15c.). Computer sense of "not physically existing but made to appear by software" is attested from 1959.
Synonym
Example
- 1. Rizzo started developing the virtual classroom in 1999 .
- 2. Hidden from public view , manipur has become a virtual police-state .
- 3. Such artificial networks are pieces of software composed of virtual neurons .
- 4. A virtual replica was recently unveiled in the place of the original .
- 5. Mainland chinese media imposed a virtual news blackout on the demonstration .