Etymology

Adjective

1. In effect or essence, if not in fact or reality; imitated, simulated, substantial.

   In fact a defeat on the battlefield, Tet was a virtual victory for the North, owing to its effect on public opinion.

   Virtual addressing allows applications to believe that there is much more physical memory than actually exists.

2. Nearly, almost. (A relatively recent corruption of meaning, attributed to misuse in advertising and media.)

   The angry peasants were a virtual army as they attacked the castle.

   ...leaves your dishes virtually spotless.

3. Of something that is simulated in a computer or on-line.

   The virtual world of his computer game allowed character interaction.

4. In object-oriented programming, capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.