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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Piece \Piece\, n. [OE. pece, F. pi[`e]ce, LL. pecia, petia,
petium, probably of Celtic origin; cf. W. peth a thing, a
part, portion, a little, Armor. pez, Gael. & Ir. cuid part,
share. Cf. Petty.]
1. A fragment or part of anything separated from the whole,
in any manner, as by cutting, splitting, breaking, or
tearing; a part; a portion; as, a piece of sugar; to break
in pieces.
Bring it out piece by piece. --Ezek. xxiv.
6.
2. A definite portion or quantity, as of goods or work; as, a
piece of broadcloth; a piece of wall paper.
3. Any one thing conceived of as apart from other things of
the same kind; an individual article; a distinct single
effort of a series; a definite performance; especially:
(a) A literary or artistic composition; as, a piece of
poetry, music, or statuary.
(b) A musket, gun, or cannon; as, a battery of six pieces;
a following piece.
(c) A coin; as, a sixpenny piece; -- formerly applied
specifically to an English gold coin worth 22
shillings.
(d) A fact; an item; as, a piece of news; a piece of
knowledge.
4. An individual; -- applied to a person as being of a
certain nature or quality; often, but not always, used
slightingly or in contempt. ``If I had not been a piece of
a logician before I came to him.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
Thy mother was a piece of virtue. --Shak.
His own spirit is as unsettled a piece as there is
in all the world. --Coleridge.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Piece \Piece\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pieced; p. pr. & vb. n.
Piecing.]
1. To make, enlarge, or repair, by the addition of a piece or
pieces; to patch; as, to piece a garment; -- often with
out. --Shak.
2. To unite; to join; to combine. --Fuller.
His adversaries . . . pieced themselves together in
a joint opposition against him. --Fuller.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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