Vir`tu*o"so (?), n.; pl. Virtuosos (#); It. Virtuosi (#). [It. See Virtuous.]

1.

One devoted to virtu; one skilled in the fine arts, in antiquities, and the like; a collector or ardent admirer of curiosities, etc.

Virtuoso the Italians call a man who loves the noble arts, and is a critic in them. Dryden.

2. Mus.

A performer on some instrument, as the violin or the piano, who excels in the technical part of his art; a brilliant concert player.

 

© Webster 1913.