virtually

adv 1: (intensifier before a figurative expression) without

exaggeration; "our eyes were literally pinned to TV

during the Gulf war" [syn: {literally}]

2: in essence or effect but not in fact; "the strike virtually

paralyzed the city"; "I'm virtually broke"

3: (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite

accomplished; "the job is (just) about done"; "the baby

was almost asleep when the alarm sounded"; "we're almost

finished"; "the car all but ran her down"; "he nearly

fainted"; "talked for nigh onto 2 hours"; "the recording

is well-nigh perfect"; "virtually all the parties signed

the contract"; (`near' is used informally for `nearly' as

in "I was near exhausted by the run"; `most' is used

informally for `almost' as in "most everybody agrees")

[syn: {about}, {just about}, {almost}, {most}, {all but},

{nearly}, {near}, {nigh}, {well-nigh}]

virtual

(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)