Virago

A virago is a woman who demonstrates exemplary and heroic qualities. The word comes from the Latin word vir, meaning virile '(man)' to which the suffix -ago is added, a suffix that effectively re-genders the word to be female. Historically, the concept of a virago reaches back into antiquity where Hellenistic philosophy asserted that elite and exceptionally heroic men had 'virtus.' The word Virtus (once again linked to vir, the brave man abiding by society's highest values and ethics as opposed to "homo", human being) defined the traits of excellence for a man in ancient Rome (and Greece), including valor and heroism, but also morality and physical strength. Women and non-elite or unheroic men (slaves, servants, craftsmen, merchants) were in a lesser category, and believed to be less excellent (see Roman morality: Mos maiorum). A woman, however, if exceptional enough could earn the title Virago. In doing so, she surpassed the expectations for what was believed possible for her gender, and embodied masculine-like aggression and/or excellence. Virago, then, was a title of respect and admiration. In Christianity, a female nun or holy woman who had become equal in divinity to male monks through practiced celibacy, exemplary religious practice and devotion, and intact virginity, was considered to have surpassed the limitations of her femaleness and was called 'Virago.'