1The nonphysical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.

1. 1.1 The nonphysical part of a person regarded as their true self and as capable of surviving physical death or separation.
   a year after he left, his spirit is still present

   Example sentencesExamples

   • We are learning that when our bodies or minds or spirits are sick, it affects all parts of us in some way.
   • Copra argued that the original split in ancient times did not occur between body and mind but between body and soul or spirit.
   • YET I remained basically sceptical when it came to the idea that the spirit survives death.
   • Her idea seems to be that terrible things can happen to a person, but he can still survive if his spirit remains unbroken.
   • Kanyu is the essence of feng shui; feng shui without kanyu is like a body without a spirit.
   • This spirit soul must enter into the spiritual sky to merge into the Brahman effulgence.
   • Let us establish this fact in our minds, that we are all so made as souls and spirits so that we shall never die.
   • Essentially we are spirit and soul, but our material bodies are dross.
   • These common traits all arise from a fundamental dualism that privileges the spirit and deprecates the body.
   • We live in a world of spirits, where souls live and reincarnate.
   • Ultimately, we tear our spirits out of our bodies as our way of declaring harmonious union.
   • He sat me down and told me that once a body dies, the spirit / soul immediately leaves the body and only the body or shell, if you will, remained.
   • If only the spirit and not the body counts, then it is the individual and not the assembly that matters.
   • If something survives, if a spirit continues, it sure isn't me.
   • He believed we are each comprised of body, spirit, and soul.
   • It was like one of those captivating heavyweight fights where the challenger takes a pounding but the beating is only physical and his spirit remains unspoilt.
   • Although women in Japanese Gothic fiction are often victims of male abuse, their spirits are capable of powerful revenge.
   • According to spiritualists, the spirit dwells in the physical body, but can leave it temporarily or permanently.

   Synonyms

   life force, animating principle, vital spark, breath of life
2. 1.2 The nonphysical part of a person manifested as an apparition after their death; a ghost.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • He knew without being told that the spirits had manifested in him.
   • Only it turns out some of those ghosts are powerful ancestor spirits.
   • The spirit or ghost came closer and stopped right in front of Evelyn.
   • He fires more questions at the ghost, but the spirit only points at the grave in answer.
   • Some of these spirits are ‘ghosts,’ the spirits of human beings following death.
   • They respond by making offerings to deities and propitiating spirits, as we have seen, and in other ways, too.
   • Every year, the souls and spirits of the departed Zoroastrians are invited back for a 10-day festival.
   • They claimed that disembodied spirits can wander in and out of the minds of the living as easily as a tramp can walk into a house with its doors and windows open.
   • I don't even believe in ghosts or spirits or any of this!
   • People who study the paranormal believe these apparitions are the wandering spirits of guards and inmates murdered long ago.
   • It is believed that these spirits, ‘drowned ghosts’, will suffer in the water until someone else comes to take their place.
   • In this sense, ‘ghosts’ mean the spirits, the apparition of the dead or the devils.
   • Children love ghost stories, and what is the difference between a ghost and a spirit at the end of the day?
   • Horatio speaks to the spirit, but the ghost stalks away in silence.
   • The movie Ghost also involves spirits who have unfinished business on planet Earth, but in this case, the ghost is here to assist the living.
   • I've sensed the presence of lost spirits and helped them move on.
   • Spiteful witches, hungry ghosts, and angry spirits are thought to inflict illness and misfortune.
   • Unusual events and encounters may be attributed to ghost spirits.
   • Just a few days ago, I sat down with a woman who is a medium, and we got to talking about spirits and ghosts.
   • Men in the mode of goodness worship the demigods; those in the mode of passion worship the demons; and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits.

   Synonyms

   ghost, phantom, spectre, apparition, wraith, shadow, presence
3. 1.3 A supernatural being.
   shrines to nature spirits

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He soon learns that Laura's true killer is a spirit called Bob, operating by inhabiting various human vessels and carrying out his gruesome deeds.
   • Sum Sae-Ng, 47, the leader, told officers that the cult worshipped ghosts and land spirits.
   • Likewise, her personal experiences of ghosts, spirits and fairies tell something about Berit Anne as an individual and the role her stories play in her understanding of life.
   • SPI does not have a mission to prove the existence of ghosts, spirits, or monsters as you are free to believe what you wish.
   • Supernatural creatures such as angels, genies, ghosts, and spirits, are believed to exist.
   • The Japanese culture and arts have been strongly influenced by a wide-spread belief in ghosts, demons and supernatural spirits.
   • They thought He was a ghost, a phantasm, an apparition, a spirit, anything except their Master.
   • Surya, God of the Sun, is worshiped and the nature spirits are thanked.
   • The Druids believed that the witches, ghosts, and evil spirits walked on earth on the night of October 31.
   • In this, we have taken a step closer towards a naturalistic world-view that is able to dispense with spirits, ghosts and gods.
   • If what Myra the spirit said was fully true, he might never see his brothers and sisters again.
   • And I believed her when she spoke of magic, ghosts, spirits, and fairies that danced in the rain.
   • The kami can be likened to nature spirits, and Shinto shrines are usually found in areas of natural beauty.
   • Ghosts, spirits and fairies can still be fascinating and entertaining.
   • The books are filled with talking dogs, angels, spirits, ghosts, demons and death.
   • Tzaer had never been religious, but he had read and heard enough about it to recognize the dragon as a manifestation of the shadow spirit, Khorthage.
   • They are often compared to ghosts, demons and spirits and are attributed appropriate powers.
   • She had accepted what she was long ago - a demon, a vengeful spirit - a hungry ghost.
   • The Heian period, we are told, was a time when spirits and demons wandered the earth, plaguing mortal man.
   • Psi may be the result of nonphysical beings such as spirits or gods, and the elusive nature of psi may reflect the will of those beings.
4. 1.4the Spirit
   short for Holy Spirit

   Example sentencesExamples

   • To be part of God's response to the cries of the world is to be alive in the Spirit.
   • If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
   • Writing to the Corinthians, Paul offered some clues for where to look for the Spirit's work.
   • The Spirit who moved Jesus so dramatically is the same Spirit who lives in us.
   • They do not see the cross, and so they do not see the kingdom of God and new life in the Spirit.
   • Prayer is not the only way the Spirit works to convince us that Jesus is Lord.
   • Do you now see why the Spirit has led us to start with God?
   • Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
   • The Spirit frees the Father to let the Son go, and so actually to love him.
   • When the Spirit was given it was so that the Church would have power to witness for Jesus.

2in singular Those qualities regarded as forming the definitive or typical elements in the character of a person, nation, or group or in the thought and attitudes of a particular period.

1. 2.1with adjective A person identified with their most prominent mental or moral characteristics or with their role in a group or movement.
   he was a leading spirit in the conference

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Tim Hornsby, the entrepreneurial spirit behind such café bars as Fibbers in York and the Blues Bar in Harrogate, is more cautious.
   • She is a gentle spirit with a wonderful sense of humor and great talent.
   • If she is a freer spirit and tends to favor things that are funky, a contemporary engagement ring, such as a "floating diamond" style, may be perfect.
   • However, full credit must go to Tommy Marren who is the inspirational spirit behind this great venture.
   • Lucy herself is a powerful character, an independent spirit with a thirst for revenge that threatens to consume her.
   • Mr Charles Fricker, well known for his shows with trained Alsatians, is the moving spirit behind the idea.
   • She is a creative spirit and a risk-taker who prefers the road more passionate over the road more practical.
   • This revolutionary spirit is not just about changing the world, but also about what Jim calls ‘tuning people's ears to poetry.’
   • The project officer of WDC, P. Renugadevi, was the motivating spirit behind the designing of the logo, he says.
   • The moving spirit behind the Bhagavata Mela is the president and chairman of the Sangam, S. Natarajan.
   • He has demonstrated quality leadership, and embodies both entrepreneurial spirit and business excellence.
2. 2.2 A specified emotion or mood, especially one prevailing at a particular time.
   I hope the team will build on this spirit of confidence

   Example sentencesExamples

   • At least that spirit of common sense has prevailed more recently, during the Christmas masses.
   • But Mike, whose spirit of fair play always prevails in the end, couldn't let it stand.
   • With China's new spirit of capitalism, a good supply of these items is coming out of China and showing up for sale on eBay and elsewhere on the Internet.
   • Some might argue that this newfound spirit of cooperation has vindicated the Administration's tough approach to negotiations.
   • He rejects the use of force, as inapplicable to the ‘fierce spirit of liberty’ prevailing in the English colonies.
   • I aspire to reinforce the tradition of Athens as a place known for its everlasting spirit of hospitality.
   • And we are glad to see that this spirit of inclusion is evident in the practices of other automakers who do business in this country as well.
   • The greatest enemy in York was not the Tories but the ‘prevailing spirit of apathy’, he told them.
   • Even 36 hours of traveling didn't dampen the uniquely Congolese spirit of joy.
   • No matter where you go in the US you only have to scratch the surface to find that inextinguishable spirit of dissent.
   • I think it's really time for America to return to that spirit of community, and that has to be done in a bipartisan way.
   • And in the great American spirit of competition, new is better.
   • Like with Erik and his spirit of honor and generosity, the Gryphons were desperately needed for they could bring back the honor to the world.
   • Where students can sue their teachers, there can be no spirit of order and community, no flourishing of fellow-feeling.
   • And it started out like that, and there wasn't a lot of truth in it, but there was a lot of spirit of adventure about the whole interview.
   • It's this spirit of openness and accessibility that defines the 215 Fest.
   • Does the growing public resentment of the United States mean that this new spirit of pragmatism at the elite level will die out quickly?
   • Clearly our current spirit of neopatriotism cannot vanquish the old bogyman of racism in America.
   • And it is in this spirit of hope that I join with those in the United States and the world in commemorating and honoring this valiant effort.
   • While similar to the first in its spirit of inquiry and moral seriousness, it differs in that it does not offer any policy prescriptions.
3. 2.3spirits A person's mood.
   the warm weather lifted everyone's spirits after the winter

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Osman - a lanky, amiable giant of a man - seems in good spirits, but the real revelation is bandleader Brett Anderson.
   • Despite the accident Mrs McAleese remains in good spirits and is intent on carrying out her official role despite her temporary disability.
   • As the bell rang for us to get out of class, I got up from my seat, my spirits actually higher than they were before.
   • It was a real boost to the spirits, as was the coffee and cake I had at a patisserie afterwards.
   • By the time the show kicked off, almost two hours behind schedule, spirits inside Dior's custom-built tent were almost as damp as the weather outside.
   • I love jasmine, which is said to lift the spirits and combat depression.
   • True, her spirits had been higher than usual, but she couldn't pinpoint an exact event that had caused them to be so.
   • This past weekend, however, I saw a remarkable and positive change in the spirits and attitudes of the American soldiers here.
   • Your positive outlook lifts the spirits of everyone around you.
4. 2.4 The attitude or intentions with which someone undertakes or regards something.
   he confessed in a spirit of self-respect, not defiance

   Synonyms

   mood, frame of mind, state of mind, emotional state, humour, temper

   temperament, disposition, character, nature, personality, temper, make-up, humour, cast of mind, turn of mind, complexion

   attitude, frame of mind, way of thinking, way of looking at it, state of mind, point of view, outlook, thoughts, ideas
5. 2.5 The quality of courage, energy, and determination or assertiveness.
   his visitors admired his spirit and good temper

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He says his team's strengths are spirit and determination.
   • His shadowy silhouette has become recognised around the world as a symbol of compassion, determination, and spirit.
   • Swans have shown great spirit, courage, determination and team unity this year but the most important ingredient to the Swans outfit has been an increase in skill.
   • It was a performance packed with spirit, determination and confidence as they had to fight back from an early 10-0 deficit.
   • This combined with the boundless spirit of people like the Andersons helps to ensure that, whatever else cancer may take, dignity and hope remain out of its grasp.
   • Although neither of us hunts, we like the spirit and character of hunting dogs.
   • She was a lady of great spirit, independence, determination and resourcefulness, much admired and much liked, and she will be greatly missed.
   • Not only are you determined, you're extremely brave and I really admire your courage and your spirit and I wish you really all the very best.
   • Together, they deliver a stunning set - full of energy, spirit and skill, and far in excess of anything which we might have imagined from a support act.
   • But the fact that they felt free to speak up and raise their concerns shows that some of our old spirit has survived.
   • The Chelsea coach had commented that his team are far behind Manchester United ‘not in terms of quality but in terms of spirit and determination’.
   • Sure, it's got the action, and some of the same style, along with all the same controls, but what it really lacks is the energy and spirit.
   • As these and dozens of other contributions came in from people all over the world who had met Peter and admired his spirit and energy, his family had to take up where he left off.
   • Despite losing, the Blues at least showed some spirit and determination which has been in short supply from them this season.
   • ‘The best thing about the strike is the spirit and the character it has put back into all of us,’ said another.
   • The narrator makes the point that ‘bombs can only kill people, they cannot destroy the indomitable spirit of a nation.’
   • We want a bit of spirit and determination in their play.
   • The girls played with great determination, spirit and skill.
   • I admire Bud's courageous spirit, because he's also still recovering from eye surgery last year.
   • But it has produced sides whose spirit, determination and commitment have matched that of any club, anywhere.

   Synonyms

   morale, team spirit

   courage, bravery, courageousness, braveness, pluck, pluckiness, valour, strength of character, fortitude, backbone, spine, mettle, stout-heartedness, determination, firmness of purpose, resolution, resoluteness, resolve, fight, gameness

   animation, enthusiasm, eagerness, keenness, liveliness, vivacity, vivaciousness, energy, verve, vigour, dynamism, zest, dash, elan, panache, sparkle, exuberance, gusto, brio, pep, go, sap, fervour, zeal, fire, passion
6. 2.6 The real meaning or the intention behind something as opposed to its strict verbal interpretation.
   the rule had been broken in spirit if not in letter

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The spirit and intent of this rule dovetails with the interpretation of rule 21.02 I have suggested.
   • Despite being old, this definition gives the spirit behind the discipline.
   • A mission statement, a goal to strive for, something that should guide our laws ‘so that effect may be given to its spirit and intent’.
   • For the first time in my life, I agreed wholeheartedly with these comments, or the spirit behind these comments.
   • The show, which has been running in Athy for almost ten years, unites the town into the real spirit and meaning of Christmas.
   • But these recommendations, too, are pragmatic; and they relate only to the enforcement of drugs policy, not to the spirit behind it.

   Synonyms

   real meaning, true meaning, true intention, essence, substance

3usually spiritsBritish Strong distilled liquor such as brandy, whiskey, gin, or rum.

1. 3.1mass noun, with modifier A volatile liquid, especially a fuel, prepared by distillation.
   aviation spirit

   Example sentencesExamples

   • In recent years, however, and mostly in urban areas, high - octane fuel and methylated spirit have been added to enhance potency.
   • The tanker he was driving was carrying more than 32,000 litres of petroleum spirit and 5,000 litres of diesel fuel.
   • In January 1929, for instance, only two loaded vessels arrived, one with petroleum spirit from Liverpool and the other with cement from London.
2. 3.2archaic A solution of volatile components extracted from something, typically by distillation or by solution in alcohol.
   spirits of turpentine

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Spots on all finishes except lacquer can be treated with a cloth dampened with spirits of camphor, essence of peppermint or oil of wintergreen.

4archaic A highly refined substance or fluid thought to govern vital phenomena.

with object and adverbial of direction Convey rapidly and secretly.