spirit

[ spir-it ]

noun

1. the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
2. the incorporeal part of humans:

   present in spirit though absent in body.

   Synonyms: essence, consciousness, mind, life

3. the soul regarded as separating from the body at death.
4. conscious, incorporeal being, as opposed to matter:

   the world of spirit.

5. a supernatural, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character:

   evil spirits.

   Synonyms: shade, phantom, apparition

6. a fairy, sprite, or elf.

   Synonyms: hobgoblin, goblin

7. an angel or demon.

   Synonyms: genius

8. an attitude or principle that inspires, animates, or pervades thought, feeling, or action:

   the spirit of reform.

9. (initial capital letter) the divine influence as an agency working in the human heart.
10. a divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence. Numbers 11:25; Isaiah 32:15.
11. (initial capital letter) the third person of the Trinity; Holy Spirit.
12. the soul or heart as the seat of feelings or sentiments, or as prompting to action:

    a man of broken spirit.

13. spirits, feelings or mood with regard to exaltation or depression:

    low spirits; good spirits.

14. excellent disposition or attitude in terms of vigor, courage, firmness of intent, etc.; mettle:

    That's the spirit!

    Synonyms: enterprise, fire, ardor, zeal, energy, enthusiasm

15. temper or disposition:

    meek in spirit.

    Synonyms: humor, mood, attitude

16. an individual as characterized by a given attitude, disposition, character, action, etc.:

    A few brave spirits remained to face the danger.

17. the dominant tendency or character of anything:

    the spirit of the age.

    Synonyms: complexion, sense, essence, gist, tenor, drift, nature

18. vigorous sense of membership in a group:

    college spirit.

19. the general meaning or intent of a statement, document, etc. ( letter ):

    the spirit of the law.

    Synonyms: purport, significance, intention

20. Chemistry. the essence or active principle of a substance as extracted in liquid form, especially by distillation.
21. Often spirits. a strong distilled alcoholic liquor.
22. Chiefly British. alcohol.
23. Pharmacology. a solution in alcohol of an essential or volatile principle; essence ( def 3 ).
24. any of certain subtle fluids formerly supposed to permeate the body.
25. the Spirit, God

adjective

1. pertaining to something that works by burning alcoholic spirits:

   a spirit stove.

2. of or relating to spiritualist bodies or activities.

verb (used with object)

1. to animate with fresh ardor or courage; inspirit.
2. to encourage; urge on or stir up, as to action.
3. to carry off mysteriously or secretly (often followed by away or off ):

   His captors spirited him away.

spirit

¹

/ ˈspɪrɪt /

noun

1. often plural any distilled alcoholic liquor such as brandy, rum, whisky, or gin
2. chem
   1. an aqueous solution of ethanol, esp one obtained by distillation
   2. the active principle or essence of a substance, extracted as a liquid, esp by distillation
3. pharmacol
   1. a solution of a volatile substance, esp a volatile oil, in alcohol
   2. ( as modifier )

      a spirit burner

4. alchemy any of the four substances sulphur, mercury, sal ammoniac, or arsenic

spirit

²

/ ˈspɪrɪt /

noun

1. the force or principle of life that animates the body of living things
2. temperament or disposition

   truculent in spirit

3. liveliness; mettle

   they set to it with spirit

4. the fundamental, emotional, and activating principle of a person; will

   the experience broke his spirit

5. a sense of loyalty or dedication

   team spirit

6. the prevailing element; feeling

   a spirit of joy pervaded the atmosphere

7. state of mind or mood; attitude

   he did it in the wrong spirit

8. plural an emotional state, esp with regard to exaltation or dejection

   in high spirits

9. a person characterized by some activity, quality, or disposition

   a leading spirit of the movement

10. the deeper more significant meaning as opposed to a pedantic interpretation

    the spirit of the law

11. that which constitutes a person's intangible being as contrasted with his physical presence

    I shall be with you in spirit

12. 1. an incorporeal being, esp the soul of a dead person
    2. ( as modifier )

       spirit world

verb

1. usually foll byaway or off to carry off mysteriously or secretly
2. often foll by up to impart animation or determination to

Spirit

³

/ ˈspɪrɪt /

noun

1. 1. another name for the Holy Spirit
   2. God, esp when regarded as transcending material limitations
2. the influence of God or divine things upon the soul
3. Christian Science God or divine substance

Other Words From

• spirit·like adjective
• non·spirit noun
• outspirit verb (used with object)
• un·spirit·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spirit¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English (noun), from Latin spīritus originally, “a breathing,” equivalent to spīri-, combining form representing spīrāre “to breathe” + -tus suffix of verb action

Word History and Origins

Origin of spirit¹

C14: special use of spirit ¹, name applied to alchemical substances (as in sense 4), hence extended to distilled liquids

Origin of spirit²

C13: from Old French esperit, from Latin spīritus breath, spirit; related to spīrāre to breathe

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. out of spirits, in low spirits; depressed:

   We were feeling out of spirits after so many days of rain.

More idioms and phrases containing spirit

• kindred spirit

Synonym Study

See ghost.

Example Sentences

As we hurtle towards Mariah Carey's most lucrative holiday, families all over the UK will be pressing play on Christmas films such as Love Actually to get themselves into the festive spirit.

From BBC

When they could not leave their hotel on Wednesday because of heavy rain and flash flooding in the Andalusian city, spirits were kept high with games of spikeball and a yoga session.

From BBC

My condition seemed to echo the larger affliction overtaking the land, a reminder of the profound toll that tumultuous times exact upon both body and spirit.

From Salon

To Blossoms, Gary has now become muse and mascot, spirit animal and unofficial sixth member of the band.

From BBC

Flynn added that he hoped the campaign could be carried out in good faith and in good spirit.

From BBC

Related Words

• character
• courage
• energy
• enthusiasm
• essence
• heart
• humor
• life
• mood
• morale
• quality
• resolve
• temperament
• vigor
• vitality
• warmth
• will