spirit

¹spir·it

noun \ˈspir-ət\

Definition of SPIRIT

1

: an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms

2

: a supernatural being or essence: as

a capitalized : holy spirit

b : soul 2a

c : an often malevolent being that is bodiless but can become visible; specifically : ghost 2

d : a malevolent being that enters and possesses a human being

3

: temper or disposition of mind or outlook especially when vigorous or animated <in high spirits>

4

: the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person

5

a : the activating or essential principle influencing a person <acted in a spirit of helpfulness>

b : an inclination, impulse, or tendency of a specified kind : mood

6

a : a special attitude or frame of mind <the money-making spirit was for a time driven back — J. A. Froude>

b : the feeling, quality, or disposition characterizing something <undertaken in a spirit of fun>

7

: a lively or brisk quality in a person or a person's actions

8

: a person having a character or disposition of a specified nature

9

: a mental disposition characterized by firmness or assertiveness <denied the charge with spirit>

10

a : distillate 1: as (1) : the liquid containing ethanol and water that is distilled from an alcoholic liquid or mash —often used in plural (2) : any of various volatile liquids obtained by distillation or cracking (as of petroleum, shale, or wood) —often used in plural

b : a usually volatile organic solvent (as an alcohol, ester, or hydrocarbon)

11

a : prevailing tone or tendency <spirit of the age>

b : general intent or real meaning <spirit of the law>

12

: an alcoholic solution of a volatile substance <spirit of camphor>

13

: enthusiastic loyalty <school spirit>

14

capitalized Christian Science : god 1b

Examples of SPIRIT

1. the spirits of my ancestors
2. Some religions believe that the same spirit is reincarnated many times in different bodies.
3. Yoga is very healthy for both body and spirit.
4. We will all miss her generous spirit.
5. My father was a proud spirit.

Origin of SPIRIT

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, espirit, spirit, from Latin spiritus, literally, breath, from spirare to blow, breathe

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SPIRIT

Synonyms

psyche, soul

Antonyms

nonintoxicant

Related Words

life, vitality; being, essence, quintessence

Near Antonyms

body, flesh

See Synonym Discussion at courage

Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith

Rhymes with SPIRIT

Meerut

²spirit

transitive verb

Definition of SPIRIT

1

: to infuse with spirit; especially : animate <hope and apprehension of feasibleness spirits all industry — John Goodman>

2

: to carry off usually secretly or mysteriously <was hustled into a…motorcar and spirited off to the country — W. L. Shirer>

Examples of SPIRIT

1. The singer was spirited away in a limousine after the show.
2. Some of the funds had been spirited away to other accounts.

First Known Use of SPIRIT

1608

spir·it

noun \ˈspir-ət\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of SPIRIT

1

a : distillate; especially : the liquid containing ethyl alcohol and water that is distilled from an alcoholic liquid or mash—often used in plural b : a usually volatile organic solvent (as an alcohol, ester, or hydrocarbon)

2

: an alcoholic solution of a volatile substance <spirit of camphor>