spirit

[ spir-it ]
/ ˈspɪr ɪt /

noun

adjective

pertaining to something that works by burning alcoholic spirits: a spirit stove.
of or relating to spiritualist bodies or activities.

verb (used with object)

Idioms for spirit

    out of spirits, in low spirits; depressed: We were feeling out of spirits after so many days of rain.

Origin of spirit

1200–50; Middle English (noun) < Latin spīritus orig., a breathing, equivalent to spīri-, combining form representing spīrāre to breathe + -tus suffix of v. action

SYNONYMS FOR spirit

6 goblin, hobgoblin.
7 genius.
14 enthusiasm, energy, zeal, ardor, fire, enterprise.
15 attitude, mood, humor.
17 nature, drift, tenor, gist, essence, sense, complexion.
19 intention, significance, purport.

OTHER WORDS FROM spirit

spir·it·like, adjective non·spir·it, noun out·spir·it, verb (used with object) un·spir·it·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH spirit

spirit sprite

Example sentences from the Web for spirit

British Dictionary definitions for spirit (1 of 3)

spirit 1
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /

noun

verb (tr)

(usually foll by away or off) to carry off mysteriously or secretly
(often foll by up) to impart animation or determination to

Word Origin for spirit

C13: from Old French esperit, from Latin spīritus breath, spirit; related to spīrāre to breathe

British Dictionary definitions for spirit (2 of 3)

spirit 2
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /

noun

(often plural) any distilled alcoholic liquor such as brandy, rum, whisky, or gin
chem
  1. an aqueous solution of ethanol, esp one obtained by distillation
  2. the active principle or essence of a substance, extracted as a liquid, esp by distillation
pharmacol
  1. a solution of a volatile substance, esp a volatile oil, in alcohol
  2. (as modifier)a spirit burner
alchemy any of the four substances sulphur, mercury, sal ammoniac, or arsenic

Word Origin for spirit

C14: special use of spirit 1, name applied to alchemical substances (as in sense 4), hence extended to distilled liquids

British Dictionary definitions for spirit (3 of 3)

Spirit
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /

noun the Spirit

  1. another name for the Holy Spirit
  2. God, esp when regarded as transcending material limitations
the influence of God or divine things upon the soul
Christian Science God or divine substance

Medical definitions for spirit

spirit
[ spĭrĭt ]

n.

spirits An alcohol solution of an essential or volatile substance.
spirits An alcoholic beverage, especially distilled liquor.
A liquid that has been distilled.

Idioms and Phrases with spirit

spirit