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Glite Dictionary
in virtue of

in virtue of

1 7.5
Because of a quality, fact, or agreement
  • idiom
  • Formal
translation icon : en virtud de
  • And the basic thrust of that argument is that we are subject to state power in virtue of our agreement to be subject to that power.
  • in virtue of the fact

And the basic thrust of that argument is that we are subject to state power in virtue of our agreement to be subject to that power.

Examples

  • He was promoted in virtue of his dedication and hard work at the company.

  • But such acts already generate obligations in virtue of the receipt of benefits.

    Academic text (1999)

  • In virtue of what does a group of people constitute a society?

    Academic text (2000)

  • Just the universe is richer, more wonderful, more awesome, you know, in virtue of having life on its planets.

  • And if the will in virtue of which we are a society is not willed now, we have lapsed into a herd in the state of nature.

    Academic text (2000)

  • We can assert, in virtue of the cosmic relevance of his resurrection, that the power of death throughout the whole of evolutionary history will be finally overcome.

    Academic text (2009)

  • If the arguments for cultural rights to self-determination in virtue of nationalism have merit, they should work to give all sorts of other groups similar rights too.

    Academic text (1999)

  • But he is a Federalist who also understands what the Antifederalists grasped so well: that the republic must make some provision for the education in virtue of the citizen body.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Students can apply for scholarships in virtue of their academic achievements and community service.

  • The team won recognition in virtue of their innovative project and positive impact on the community.

Synonyms

because of
vsin virtue of
∞ 1.0

For a reason that explains why something happened

is more formal and abstract in tone than the everyday phrase
due to
vsin virtue of
∞ 1.0

Because of something

refers to reason more generally rather than a single specific cause
on account of
vsin virtue of
66 1.7

Because of something such as illness or rain

focuses on reason rather than the resulting effect
under the circumstances
vsin virtue of
46 3.4

Because of the current situation

refers to reason as a general cause rather than situational conditions
by virtue of
vsin virtue of
  • Formal
25 4.5

Because of something

is identical in meaning but differs only in typical written phrasing

Surface Forms

in virtue of main

Morphology

in + virtue + of

The noun 'virtue' normally denotes moral goodness, so the causal meaning 'because of' in the fixed phrase 'in/by virtue of' is not directly derivable from the literal meanings of the constituents for an average B1 learner. There is a loose logical link (something acting 'by virtue' or 'by means' of a quality), but the expression is formal and idiomatic enough that its specific causal sense is only partially predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

In virtue of comes from an old use of the word virtue, which once meant 'power' or 'good quality' rather than only 'goodness'. So, to be in virtue of something is to be there 'by the power' or quality of that thing, and that's why it means 'because of'.