Virtual
adjective
1.
being such in power, force, or effect, though not actually or expressly such:
a virtual dependence on charity.
2.
Optics.
noting an image formed by the apparent convergence of rays geometrically, but not actually, prolonged, as the image formed by a mirror (opposed to real).
noting a focus of a system forming virtual images.
3.
temporarily simulated or extended by computer software:
a virtual disk in RAM; virtual memory on a hard disk.
adjective
1.
having the essence or effect but not the appearance or form of: a virtual revolution
2.
(physics) being, relating to, or involving a virtual image: a virtual focus
3.
(computing) of or relating to virtual storage: virtual memory
4.
of or relating to a computer technique by which a person, wearing a headset or mask, has the experience of being in an environment created by the computer, and of interacting with and causing changes in it
5.
(rare) capable of producing an effect through inherent power or virtue
6.
(physics) designating or relating to a particle exchanged between other particles that are interacting by a field of force: a virtual photon See also exchange force
jargon, architecture
(Via the technical term virtual memory, probably from the term “virtual image” in optics) 1. Common alternative to logical; often used to refer to the artificial objects (like addressable virtual memory larger than physical memory) created by a computer system to help the system control access to shared resources.
2. Simulated; performing the functions of something that isn’t really there. An imaginative child’s doll may be a virtual playmate.
Opposite of real or physical.
[Jargon File]
(1994-11-30)
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