Main Entry:

¹spir·it

Pronunciation:

\ˈspir-ət\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

13th century

1: an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms2: a supernatural being or essence: as acapitalized : 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 person5 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 : mood6 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 actions8: a person having a character or disposition of a specified nature9: 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>14capitalized Christian Science : god 1b

synonyms see courage