virtualとは意味・読み方・使い方

語源

From Middle English vertual, virtual, from Medieval Latin virtuālis, from virtus (“virtue”).

発音

• (Received 発音) IPA^(key): /ˈvɜːtʃuəl/, /ˈvɜːtʃəl/
  • (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈvɝtʃuəl/
  • (New Zealand) IPA^(key): /ˈvɵːtʃuəl/, /ˈvɵːtʃəl/, [ˈvɵːtʃɯ(l)]
  • 韻: -ɜː(ɹ)tʃuəl, -ɜːtʃəl
  • ハイフネーション: vir‧tu‧al, vir‧tual

形容詞

virtual (not comparable)

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

   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.

   • c. 1869, William Fleming, Vocabulary of Philosophy: Moral, Ethical, Metaphysical

     A thing has a virtual existence when it has all the conditions necessary to its actual existence.

   • 1840, Thomas De Quincey, Style (published in Blackwood's Magazine)

     to mask by slight differences in the manner a virtual identity in the substance

2. Having the power of acting or of invisible efficacy without the agency of the material or measurable part; potential.
   • 1631, Francis [Bacon], “(please specify |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], 3rd edition, London: […] VVilliam Rawley; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], OCLC 1044372886:

     Heat and cold have a virtual transition, without communication of substance.

   • 1667, John Milton, “Book 10”, in Paradise Lost. A Poem Written in Ten Books, London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […], OCLC 228722708; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, OCLC 230729554:

     Every kind that lives, / Fomented by his virtual power and warmed.

3. Nearly, almost. (A relatively recent development in meaning)

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

   • 2012, Chelsea 6-0 Wolves [1]

     The Chelsea captain was a virtual spectator as he was treated to his side's biggest win for almost two years as Stamford Bridge serenaded him with chants of "there's only one England captain," some 48 hours after he announced his retirement from international football.

4. Simulated in a computer or online.

   The virtual world of his computer game allowed character interaction.

5. Operating by computer or in cyberspace; not physically present.
   • 2020 August 10, Abigail Abrams, “Tech Companies Are Transforming People’s Bedrooms Into ‘Virtual Hospitals.’ Will It Last Post-COVID?”, in Time‎^[2]:

     In recent months, hospitals around the country, looking for ways to free up beds for coronavirus patients, began expanding their virtual offerings, launching video doctors’ visits and virtual therapy sessions, and rolling out programs to remotely monitor vulnerable patients, like those in nursing homes.

   a virtual assistant; a virtual personal trainer

6. (computing, object-oriented programming, of a class member) Capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.
7. (physics) Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.

同意語

• (in effect または essence): de facto

反意語

• real

派生語

• virtual reality
• virtuality
• virtually

名詞

virtual (複数形 virtuals)

1. (computing, programming) A virtual member function of a class.
2. (gambling) A computer simulation of a real-world sport such as horse racing.