Middle English Dictionary Entry
virtūtes n. plural
Entry Info
| Forms | virtūtes n. plural Also vertutes. |
| Etymology | L virtūtes, pl. of virtūs. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. vertu n. 18.
1.
Theol. The seventh order of angels; also, an unspecified order of angels.
Associated quotations
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Rom.8.38 : Nether deeth, nether lyf, nether angels, nether pryncipatis, nether virtutes [L virtutes], nether potestatis, nether present thingis, nether thingis to comynge…may departe vs fro the charite of God.
- (a1387) Trev.Epistle Berkeley (Tbr D.7)295/240 : He…quyte ȝoure mede yn þe blys of heuene…wiþ…þe nynȝen ordres of angles: angels, archangels, pryncipates, potestates, virtutes, dominaciones, [etc.].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)16b/b : The seuenthe ordre is virtutes [L virtutum]; vertues is a companye of angels and here seruise is to do…miracles.
- c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1)1 Pet.3.22 : Oure Lord Iesu Crist…is gon to hefne, & haþ y-mad sogettis to hym aungeles and potestates and vertutes [vr. vertues].
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)3.841 : The high Angels and virtutes all Presith hym as thay ben wonte to done.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)189/22 : Þis day the blessid lady was takyn vp to heuene, and there sche is…worschipid…aboue alle the felaschip of heuenly spirites, as aungels, archaungeles…virtutes, trones, cherubin, and ceraphin.