Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Medieval Latin
Origin: virtualis 'having certain qualities or powers', from Latin virtus; VIRTUE

virtual

 adjective
     
Related topics: Computers
vir‧tu‧al [only before noun]
1 very nearly a particular thing:
Car ownership is a virtual necessity when you live in the country.
Finding a cheap place to rent is a virtual impossibility in this area.
2TD made, done, seen etc on the Internet or on a computer, rather than in the real world:
The website allows you to take a virtual tour of the art gallery.
constructing virtual worlds
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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