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¹spirit

noun spir·it \ˈspir-ət\

: the force within a person that is believed to give the body life, energy, and power

: the inner quality or nature of a person

: a person

Full Definition of SPIRIT

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

: 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

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

: the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person

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

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>

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

: enthusiastic loyalty <school spirit>

capitalized Christian Science : god 1b

See spirit defined for English-language learners

See spirit defined for kids

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

Synonym Discussion of SPIRIT

courage, mettle, spirit, resolution, tenacity mean mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger, or hardship. courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty <the courage to support unpopular causes>. mettle suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience <a challenge that will test your mettle>. spirit also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened <her spirit was unbroken by failure>. resolution stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends <the resolution of pioneer women>. tenacity adds to resolution implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat <held to their beliefs with great tenacity>.

Other Occult Terms

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

Rhymes with SPIRIT

Meerut

²spirit

transitive verb

: to carry (someone or something) away secretly

Full Definition of SPIRIT

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

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

First Known Use of SPIRIT

1608

SPIRIT Defined for Kids

¹spirit

noun spir·it \ˈspir-ət\

Definition of SPIRIT for Kids

: ¹mood <I'm in good spirits today.>

: a being (as a ghost) whose existence cannot be explained

: a lively or brisk quality <They sang with spirit.>

: a force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power : soul

: an attitude or feeling <It was said in a spirit of fun.>

: person 1 <She was a bold spirit.>

: an alcoholic liquor —usually used in pl.

cap : God in the form of a spirit in Christianity

spirits plural : a solution in alcohol <spirits of camphor>

: real meaning or intention <the spirit of the law>

— spir·it·less \-ləs\ adjective

²spirit

verb

spir·it·edspir·it·ing

Definition of SPIRIT for Kids

: to carry off secretly or mysteriously <The jewels were spirited out of the country.>

Medical Dictionary

spirit

noun spir·it \ˈspir-ət\

Medical Definition of SPIRIT

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)

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