/jee"veuh/ , n.
1. Hinduism. the individual soul, regarded as a particular manifestation of Atman.
2. Jainism.
a. the individual soul or life monad, compared to a transparent crystal stained by karmic matter with colors, or lesyas, of varying hues.
b. all such monads collectively, regarded as the animating principle of the universe. Also called jivatma /jee vaht"meuh/ .
[ 1800-10; ]