virtuosity

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *weyh₁-? Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós Proto-Italic *wiros Late Latin vir Proto-Indo-European *-tuHts Late Latin -tūs Late Latin virtūs Proto-Indo-European *h₃ed- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h₃édosder.? Proto-Italic *-ōtsos or *-otsos Late Latin -ōsus Late Latin virtuōsusbor. Italian virtuosobor. English virtuoso Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-ts Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ts Latin -itāsder. Old French -itebor. Middle English -ite English -ity English virtuosity From virtuoso + -ity (“quality of”); the terminal -o drops out. Compare Middle English vertuosite (“virtuous quality or character”).

1. The technical skills and fluent style of a virtuoso.

   “Greek art and culture, which had become international, degenerated to mere virtuosity, empty of any ideal.”

   “At any rate, there is fun to be had not only from the De Vriesian virtuosity in pun and parody, but in following his literally incredible plot.”

2. Lovers of the elegant arts as a class.