An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. General: Having the efficacy without the material part; unreal but capable of being considered as real for some purpose.
   

2. Computers: Simulated by a computer (for reasons of experiment or
   convenience) of an entity that lacks some elements of total reality.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from M.L. virtualis, from L. virtus “manliness, excellence, potency, efficacy,” from vir “man, human, husband, soldier,” cf. Mid.Pers. vīr, wīr “man, hero;” Av. vīra- “man, human;” Skt. vīrá- “man, hero;”
Lith. vyras “man, husband;” O.Ir. fer “man;” Goth. wair “man;” O.E. wer “man.” In Roman philosophy, virtue became associated with virility and strength of character.

Etymology (PE): Virâgin from vir “intellect, mind, memory,” variants bar, bir (Mid.Pers. vir, varm, vârom “mental faculty, memory, mind;” Av. vārəma, vārəm “according to one’s wishes,” from var- “to choose”) + -âgin a
suffix denoting “consisting of, similarity, possession.”