SOUL

I. noun Etymology: Middle English ~e, from Old English sāwol; akin to Old High German sēula ~ Date: before 12th century the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life, 2. the spiritual principle embodied in human beings, all rational and spiritual beings, or the universe, god 1b, a person's total self, 4. an active or essential part, a moving spirit ; leader , 5. the moral and emotional nature of human beings, the quality that arouses emotion and sentiment, spiritual or moral force ; fervor , person , personification , 8. a strong positive feeling (as of intense sensitivity and emotional fervor) conveyed especially by black American performers, negritude , ~ music , ~ food , ~ brother , II. adjective Date: 1958 of, relating to, or characteristic of black Americans or their culture, designed for or controlled by blacks