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
Simulations that use a variety of immersive, highly visual, 3D characteristics to replicate real-life situations and/or health care procedures; virtual reality simulation is distinguished from computer-based simulation in that it generally incorporates physical or other interfaces such as a computer keyboard, a mouse, speech and voice recognition, motion sensors, or haptic devices (Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare).