Main Entry:

¹soul

Pronunciation:

\ˈsōl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English soule, from Old English sāwol; akin to Old High German sēula soul

Date:

before 12th century

1: the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life2 a: the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe bcapitalized Christian Science : god 1b3: a person's total self4 a: an active or essential part b: a moving spirit : leader5 a: the moral and emotional nature of human beings b: the quality that arouses emotion and sentiment c: spiritual or moral force : fervor6: person <not a soul in sight>7: personification <she is the soul of integrity>8 a: a strong positive feeling (as of intense sensitivity and emotional fervor) conveyed especially by black American performers b: negritude c: soul music d: soul food e: soul brother