First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1soul
noun \ˈsōl\
: the spiritual part of a person that is believed to give life to the body and in many religions is believed to live forever
: a person's deeply felt moral and emotional nature
: the ability of a person to feel kindness and sympathy for others, to appreciate beauty and art, etc.
Full Definition of SOUL
1
: the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life
2
a : the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe b capitalized Christian Science : god 1b
3
: a person's total self
4
a : an active or essential part b : a moving spirit : leader
5
a : the moral and emotional nature of human beings b : the quality that arouses emotion and sentiment c : spiritual or moral force : fervor
6
: 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
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Origin of SOUL
Middle English soule, from Old English sāwol; akin to Old High German sēula soul
2soul
adjective
Definition of SOUL
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of black Americans or their culture
2
: designed for or controlled by blacks
First Known Use of SOUL
1958
SOUL Defined for Kids
soul
noun \ˈsōl\
Definition of SOUL for Kids
1
: the spiritual part of a person believed to give life to the body
2
: the essential or most important part of something <This room is the soul of the house.>
3
: a person who leads or stirs others to action : leader <He was the soul of the campaign.>
4
: a person's moral and emotional nature <I felt my soul rebel against the injustice.>
5
: human being : person <a kind soul>
6
: a style of music expressing deep emotion that was created by African-Americans
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