Virtuous as the laic may become (7)
I believe the answer is:
ethical
'virtuous' is the definition.
(ethical can mean virtuous or moral)
'the laic may become' is the wordplay.
'may become' is an anagram indicator.
'the'+'laic'='thelaic'
'thelaic' with letters rearranged gives 'ETHICAL'.
'as' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ethical that I've seen before include "Morally good or correct" , "Relating to morals" , "Morally acceptable" , "In accordance with approved moral standards" , "Morally correct, honourable" .)