The English word 'virtu' entered the language in the early 18th century directly from the Italian 'virtù', which itself descends from the Latin 'virtūtem', the accusative form of 'virtūs'. In Latin, 'virtūs' fundamentally meant 'manliness, excellence, worth', deriving from 'vir' meaning 'man'. The Italian term underwent a fascinating semantic shift, moving from the general concept of moral excellence to a more specialized appreciation for the excellence found in artistic skill and beautiful objects. This reflects a Renaissance ideal where artistic mastery was seen as a supreme human virtue. Thus, the modern English meaning, centered on a taste for fine art and antiques, carries the evolved legacy of the ancient idea of supreme excellence.

The word is a loanword from Italian, adopted as a whole unit into English. It is not productively segmented using English morphemes.