Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » spirit

spirit

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of spirit is the soul of a living being, a ghost, mood or loyalty.

(noun)

An example of spirit is a person's character.
An example of a spirit is the soul of a dead person trapped in the house in which they had lived.
An example of spirit is a hospital patient who has a positive attitude: in good spirit.
An example of spirit is a girl who is a high school cheerleader; a girl with spirit.

See spirit in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. the life principle, esp. in human beings, originally regarded as inherent in the breath or as infused by a deity
2. soul (sense )
the thinking, motivating, feeling part of a person, often as distinguished from the body; mind; intelligence
life, will, consciousness, thought, etc., regarded as separate from matter
a supernatural being, esp. one thought of as haunting or possessing a person, house, etc., as a ghost, or as inhabiting a certain region, being of a certain good (or evil) character, etc., as an angel, demon, fairy, or elf
an individual person or personality thought of as showing or having some specific quality: the brave spirits who pioneered
frame of mind; disposition; mood; temper: in high spirits
vivacity, courage, vigor, enthusiasm, etc.: to answer with spirit
enthusiasm and loyalty: school spirit
real meaning; true intention: to follow the spirit if not the letter of the law
a pervading animating principle, essential or characteristic quality, or prevailing tendency or attitude: the spirit of the Renaissance
a divine animating influence or inspiration
strong alcoholic liquor produced by distillation
Obsolete
1. any of certain substances or fluids thought of as permeating organs of the body
2. Alchemy sulfur, sal ammoniac, mercury, or orpiment
Chem.
1. any liquid produced by distillation, as from wood, shale, etc.: spirits of turpentine
2. alcohol (sense )
Dyeing a solution of a tin salt, etc., used as a mordant
Pharmacy an alcoholic solution of a volatile or essential substance: spirits of camphor

Origin: ME < OFr espirit < L spiritus, breath, courage, vigor, the soul, life, in LL(Ec), spirit < spirare, to blow, breathe < IE base *(s)peis-, to blow > (prob.) Norw fisa, to puff, blow, OSlav piskati, to pipe, whistle

transitive verb

to inspirit, animate, encourage, cheer, etc.: (often with up)
to carry (away, off, etc.) secretly and swiftly, or in some mysterious way

adjective

1. of spirits or spiritualism
2. ☆ believed to be manifested by spirits: spirit rapping
operating by the burning of alcohol: a spirit lamp

See spirit in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The vital principle or animating force within living beings.
b. Incorporeal consciousness.
The soul, considered as departing from the body of a person at death.
Spirit The Holy Spirit.
A supernatural being, as:
a. An angel or a demon.
b. A being inhabiting or embodying a particular place, object, or natural phenomenon.
c. A fairy or sprite.
a. The part of a human associated with the mind, will, and feelings: Though unable to join us today, they are with us in spirit.
b. The essential nature of a person or group.
A person as characterized by a stated quality: He is a proud spirit.
a. An inclination or tendency of a specified kind: Her actions show a generous spirit.
b. A causative, activating, or essential principle: The couple's engagement was announced in a joyous spirit.
spirits A mood or an emotional state: The guests were in high spirits. His sour spirits put a damper on the gathering.
A particular mood or an emotional state characterized by vigor and animation: sang with spirit.
Strong loyalty or dedication: team spirit.
The predominant mood of an occasion or a period: “The spirit of 1776 is not dead” (Thomas Jefferson).
The actual though unstated sense or significance of something: the spirit of the law.
An alcohol solution of an essential or volatile substance. Often used in the plural with a singular verb.
spirits An alcoholic beverage, especially distilled liquor.