Hypertext Webster Gateway: "virtu"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Virtu \Vir*tu"\ (?; 277), n. [It. virt[`u] virtue, excellence,
from L. virtus. See {Virtue}.]
A love of the fine arts; a taste for curiosities. --J.
Spence.
{An article}, or {piece}, {of virtu}, an object of art or
antiquity; a curiosity, such as those found in museums or
private collections.
I had thoughts, in my chambers to place it in view,
To be shown to my friends as a piece of virt[`u].
--Goldsmith.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
virtu
n 1: love of or taste for fine objects of art [syn: {vertu}, {connoisseurship}]
2: artistic quality [syn: {vertu}]
3: objet d'art collectively (especially fine antiques)
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