the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
the incorporeal part of humans: present in spirit though absent in body.
the soul regarded as separating from the body at death.
conscious, incorporeal being, as opposed to matter: the world of spirit.
a supernatural, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character: evil spirits.
a fairy, sprite, or elf.
an angel or demon.
an attitude or principle that inspires, animates, or pervades thought, feeling, or action: the spirit of reform.
(initial capital letter) the divine influence as an agency working in the human heart.
a divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence. Numbers 11:25; Isaiah 32:15.
(initial capital letter) the third person of the Trinity; Holy Spirit.
the soul or heart as the seat of feelings or sentiments, or as prompting to action: a man of broken spirit.
spirits,feelings or mood with regard to exaltation or depression: low spirits; good spirits.
excellent disposition or attitude in terms of vigor, courage, firmness of intent, etc.; mettle: That's the spirit!
temper or disposition: meek in spirit.
an individual as characterized by a given attitude, disposition, character, action, etc.: A few brave spirits remained to face the danger.
the dominant tendency or character of anything: the spirit of the age.
vigorous sense of membership in a group: college spirit.
the general meaning or intent of a statement, document, etc. (opposed to letter): the spirit of the law.
Chemistry. the essence or active principle of a substance as extracted in liquid form, especially by distillation.
Often spirits . a strong distilled alcoholic liquor.
Chiefly British. alcohol.
Pharmacology. a solution in alcohol of an essential or volatile principle; essence (def. 3).
any of certain subtle fluids formerly supposed to permeate the body.
the Spirit,God
adjective
pertaining to something that works by burning alcoholic spirits: a spirit stove.
of or relating to spiritualist bodies or activities.
verb (used with object)
to animate with fresh ardor or courage; inspirit.
to encourage; urge on or stir up, as to action.
to carry off mysteriously or secretly (often followed by away or off): His captors spirited him away.
Idioms for spirit
out of spirits, in low spirits; depressed: We were feeling out of spirits after so many days of rain.
Origin of spirit
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English (noun), from Latin spīritus originally, “a breathing,” equivalent to spīri-, combining form representing spīrāre “to breathe” + -tus suffix of verb action
She said she agreed with the spirit of what Barrera was saying but warned she didn’t think that was the whole story about what happened to those ambitious students.
When a Calculus Class Abruptly Became Ceramics at Lincoln High|Scott Lewis|September 16, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Our version of the spirit streamlines the process for the home bar but still brings out the chestnuts’ rich, toasty qualities.
Why you should be adding salt to your cocktails|By Céline Bossart/Saveur|September 4, 2020|Popular Science
The spirit realms became populated primarily not with animal guides but human ancestors.
An Ancient Site with Human Skulls on Display - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Jo Marchant|September 2, 2020|Nautilus
This move is likely to further accelerate MGM’s move toward a more digital future, and not just in the spirit of luring more visitors to Vegas with socially-distancing-friendly features like contactless check-ins.
A new place to WFH: Las Vegas|Michal Lev-Ram, writer|August 25, 2020|Fortune
The Ford Expedition was my test vehicle that week, and it turned out to be the perfect ride to lift my spirits.
Vehicles to ride out a pandemic|Joe Phillips|August 22, 2020|Washington Blade
Education controls the transmission of values and molds the spirit before dominating the soul.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Their authors promise that your spirit will be improved, your ambition honed, and your finances maximized by their advice.
Can Self-Help Books Really Make a New You?|Lizzie Crocker|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The moment where they enter the spirit portal symbolizes their evolution from being friends to being a couple.
Yep, Korra and Asami Went in the Spirit Portal and Probably Kissed|Melissa Leon|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Speyside distillery is famous for taking only the finest cut of spirit for its whisky.
The Restaurant, Flask, And Photography Worthy of The Macallan Whisky||December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But he clearly understands the spirit of the season and describes it pretty much the same way as my wife.
Keep Christmas Commercialized!|P. J. O’Rourke|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The spirit and tendencies of the past century still persisted in the circles which were most permanently influential.
The Idea of Progress|J. B. Bury
But the Britain and Russia and France she fights are lands full of the spirit of undefined novelty.
What is Coming?|H. G. Wells
Contemptuous of "external good," it seeks its own counsel and obeys the mandates of its own spirit.
Heroes in Peace|John Haynes Holmes
His spirit broke and he became a quivering jelly-mountain of misery.
The Faith of Men|Jack London
He is near her own age, and he is a handsome fellow, full of life and spirit.
Rodman the Keeper|Constance Fenimore Woolson
British Dictionary definitions for spirit (1 of 3)
spirit1
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /
noun
the force or principle of life that animates the body of living things
temperament or dispositiontruculent in spirit
liveliness; mettlethey set to it with spirit
the fundamental, emotional, and activating principle of a person; willthe experience broke his spirit
a sense of loyalty or dedicationteam spirit
the prevailing element; feelinga spirit of joy pervaded the atmosphere
state of mind or mood; attitudehe did it in the wrong spirit
(plural)an emotional state, esp with regard to exaltation or dejectionin high spirits
a person characterized by some activity, quality, or dispositiona leading spirit of the movement
the deeper more significant meaning as opposed to a pedantic interpretationthe spirit of the law
that which constitutes a person's intangible being as contrasted with his physical presenceI shall be with you in spirit
an incorporeal being, esp the soul of a dead person
(as modifier)spirit world
verb(tr)
(usually foll by away or off) to carry off mysteriously or secretly
(often foll by up)to impart animation or determination to
Word Origin for spirit
C13: from Old French esperit, from Latin spīritus breath, spirit; related to spīrāre to breathe
British Dictionary definitions for spirit (2 of 3)
spirit2
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /
noun
(often plural)any distilled alcoholic liquor such as brandy, rum, whisky, or gin
chem
an aqueous solution of ethanol, esp one obtained by distillation
the active principle or essence of a substance, extracted as a liquid, esp by distillation
pharmacol
a solution of a volatile substance, esp a volatile oil, in alcohol
(as modifier)a spirit burner
alchemyany of the four substances sulphur, mercury, sal ammoniac, or arsenic
Word Origin for spirit
C14: special use of spirit1, name applied to alchemical substances (as in sense 4), hence extended to distilled liquids
British Dictionary definitions for spirit (3 of 3)
Spirit
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /
nounthe Spirit
another name for the Holy Spirit
God, esp when regarded as transcending material limitations
the influence of God or divine things upon the soul