also: たいとく
noun
great virtue; high moral character
Refers to profound moral excellence or outstanding virtue, often in a philosophical or religious context.
彼は大徳を備えた人物として尊敬されている。
He is respected as a person of great virtue.
noun
Buddhist term for a priest of high virtue or a senior monk; also used as an honorific title.
その寺の大徳は多くの人々から慕われていた。
The virtuous priest of that temple was beloved by many people.
noun
rich person; wealthy individual
Archaic or literary term for a person of great wealth; rarely used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts.
古文書には、その村の大徳についての記述がある。
In the old documents, there is a description of the wealthy person of that village.
Composed of 大 (great) and 徳 (virtue). The Buddhist sense derives from the idea of a priest of great virtue. The 'rich person' sense is an archaic extension, possibly from the notion of abundant virtue being metaphorically linked to material wealth.