Lexical Definition

‎ἀρέτη‎ arétē (ar-et'-ay) virtue ^G:N-F
from the same as ‎ἄῤῥην‎

praise, virtue.

• properly, manliness (valor), i.e. excellence (intrinsic or attributed)

Abbott-Smith

ἀρετή, -ῆς, ἡ, [in LXX, in sing.: Hb 3:3, Za 6:13 (הוֹד), in pl.: Is 42:8, 12 43:21 63:7 (תְּהִלָּה), Es 14:10, Wi 4:1 5:13 8:7, II-IV Mac22*;]
prop., whatever procures pre-eminent estimation for a person or thing, in Hom. any kind of conspicuous advantage. Later confined by philos. writers to intrinsic eminence—moral goodness, virtue;
(a) of God: II Pe 1:3;
(b) of men: Phl 4:8, II Pe 1:5; pl. (Is 42:8, 12 43:21 63:7, Es 14:10), excellencies: I Pe 2:9 (the usage appears to be a survival of an early comprehensive sense in which the original idea is blended with the impression which it makes on others, i.e. praise, renown; v. Hort, I Pe., 129. Deiss., BS, 95 f., thinks it means manifestations of divine power, as in current Gk. speech; cf. also MM, s.v.)†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ἀρετή [ᾰ], ἡ,

goodness, excellence, of any kind, in [Refs 8th c.BC+] especially of manly qualities, ποδῶν ἀρετὴν ἀναφαίνων[Refs 8th c.BC+]; so of the gods, τῶν περ καὶ μείζων ἀ. τιμή τε βίη τε[Refs]; also of women, [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ἀ. εἵνεκα for valour, [Refs 5th c.BC+] displayed brave deeds, [Refs]

__b later, of the gods, chiefly in plural, glorious deeds, wonders, miracles, [NT+1st c.BC+]: also in singular, ὄψιν ἰδοῦσα ἀρετὴν τῆς θεοῦ[Refs 3rd c.BC+]
__2 generally, excellence, ἡ ἀ. τελείωσίς τις[Refs 4th c.BC+]; of persons, ἄνδρα πὺξ ἀρετὰν εὑρόντα[Refs 5th c.BC+]: in plural, forms of excellence, μυρίαι ἀνδρῶν ἀ.[Refs 5th c.BC+]; especially moral virtue, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; opposed to κακία, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; good nature, kindness, etc., [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__2.b of animals, things, as land, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἡ ἐν ἀρετῇ κειμένη γῆ productive land, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; ἵππου[Refs 5th c.BC+]; κυνῶν, ἵππων, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; [ἀστακοῦ] [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__3 prosperity, [Refs 8th c.BC+]
__II ἀ. εἴς τινα active merit, good service done him, ἐς τοὺς Ἕλληνας[Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἀρετῆς ἕνεκα, frequently in honorary Inscrr., [Refs]
__III reward of excellence, distinction, fame, πλούτῳ δ᾽ ἀρετὴ καὶ κῦδος ὀπηδεῖ[Refs 8th c.BC+]; of God, δόξα καὶ ἀ.[NT]: in plural, glories, [LXX+6th c.BC+] frequently of the praises of God, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
__IV Ἀρετή personified, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__V ἡ ἀ. σου as a title, Your worship, [Refs]
__VI an engine of war, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]
__VII a plaster, [Refs 1st c.AD+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: 1Pet.2.9 ☩ 2Pet.1.3}