i reckon, literally it means either "having attained virtue", or "the one who has attained virtue".



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Note added at 1 hr 1 min (2004-08-30 07:51:25 GMT)
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I have found a translation \"acquired by virtue\" here: www.california.com/~cradles
so I guess my first guess went somewhat amiss

I think it means "we act through acquired virtue", i.e. we managed to acquire/gain virtue and so on
virtus has different nounces.....

I think this is an absolute ablative


vale

I agree with verbis that it is an ablative absolute construction. This is used to convey attendant circumstances. The more usual English translation is the nominative absolute but that, I feel, restricts the meaning too much. 'adepta' is the ablative singular perfect passive participle of the verb 'adipiscor' which can also mean 'inherit'. Note also that 'virtus' can convey any of the following meanings: strength/power; courage/bravery; worth/manliness/virtue/character/excellence. Since the phrase refers to a family crest or motto I think the statement is along the lines I have proposed; substitute whichever equivalent for 'virtus' you believe was espoused by your ancestors!