virtual

vir•tu•al

[[t]ˈvɜr tʃu əl[/t]] adj.

1) being such in force or effect, though not actually or expressly such:

reduced to virtual poverty[/ex]

2)

a) opt noting an optical image formed by the apparent convergence of rays geometrically, but not actually, prolonged, as the image formed by a mirror

(opposed to real I, 9)).

b) opt noting a focus of a system forming virtual images

3) cmp

a) temporarily simulated or extended by computer software:

virtual memory on a hard disk[/ex]

b) of, existing on, or by means of computers:

virtual discussions on the Internet[/ex]

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Etymology: 1350–1400; ME < ML virtuālis= L virtu(s) virtue+-ālis -al I vir`tu•al′i•ty, n.