n.
Pronunciation: ' spir- ə t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, espirit, spirit, from Latin spiritus, literally, breath, from spirare to blow, breathe
Date: 13th century
1 : an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms
2 : 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
3 : temper or disposition of mind or outlook especially when vigorous or animated <in high spirit s >
4 : the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person
5 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
6 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>
7 : a lively or brisk quality in a person or a person's actions
8 : a person having a character or disposition of a specified nature
9 : a mental disposition characterized by firmness or assertiveness <denied the charge with spirit >
10 a : DISTILLATE 1: AS (1) : the liquid containing ethyl alcohol 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)
11 a : prevailing tone or tendency < spirit of the age> b : general intent or real meaning < spirit of the law>
12 : an alcoholic solution of a volatile substance < spirit of camphor>
13 : enthusiastic loyalty <school spirit >
14 capitalized Christian Science : GOD 1B
synonyms see COURAGE