/ ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective [ usually before noun ]
1.
connected with the human spirit, rather than the body or physical things :
a spiritual experience
spiritual development
a lack of spiritual values in the modern world
We're concerned about your spiritual welfare .
OPP material
2.
connected with religion :
a spiritual leader
—compare temporal
► spir·itu·al·ly / -tʃuəli; NAmE / adverb :
a spiritually uplifting book
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IDIOMS
- your spiritual home
■ noun
(also ˌNegro ˈspiritual ) a religious song of the type originally sung by black slaves in America
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French spirituel , from Latin spiritualis , from spiritus breath, spirit, from spirare breathe.