GlossaryGuide

Etym. virtual (adj.) The meaning “being something in essence or effect, though not actually or in fact” is from mid-15c., probably via sense of “capable of producing a certain effect” (early 15c.). Computer sense of “not physically existing but made to appear by software” is attested from 1959.

Etym. reality (n.) 1540s, “quality of being real,” from French réalité and directly Medieval Latin realitatem (nominative realitas), from Late Latin realis. Meaning “real existence, all that is real” is from 1640s; that of “the real state (of something)” is from 1680s. Sometimes 17c.-18c. also meaning “sincerity.” Reality-based attested from 1960.

Definition

• The use of computer technology to create an interactive three-dimensional world in which the objects have a sense of spatial presence; virtual environment and virtual world are synonyms for virtual reality (Department of Defense Modeling and Simulation Glossary).

• A computer-generated three-dimensional environment that gives an immersion effect.

See also: SIMULATOR