spirit Definition

spirit
noun

1. The animating or vitalizing essence or force that motivates, invigorates or energizes someone or something.

Thesaurus: essence, soul, substance, character, gist, core, heart, force, driving force.
2. This force as an independent part of a person, widely believed to survive the body after death, and sometimes said to be visible as a ghost.

Thesaurus: apparition, vision, specter, ghost, ghoul, phantom, pneuma, shade.
3. A supernatural being without a body.

Example: Evil spirits haunted the house
4a. Temperament, frame of mind, etc, usually of a specified kind;

Example: She always had a very independent spirit
4b. The dominant or prevalent mood, attitude, etc;

Example: tried to gauge public spirit
4c. The characteristic essence, nature, etc of something;

Example: the spirit of friendship
Example: the spirit of Christmas
4d. Courage;

Example: team spirit
Thesaurus: courage, enthusiasm, ardour, resolution, resolve, spunk, grit.
4e. Liveliness or vivacity;

Example: enter into the spirit of the party
Thesaurus: vitality, vivacity, animation, breath, life, verve, zest, vigour.
4f. A person or thing that has a specified nature or quality.

Example: thinks of himself as a free spirit
5. The underlying essential meaning or intention, as distinct from literal interpretation.

Example: in accordance with the spirit, not the letter, of the law
6. A distilled alcoholic drink, eg whisky, brandy, gin, etc.

Thesaurus: alcohol, moonshine (US slang), the hard stuff (slang), hooch (US slang), firewater (slang).
7. chem.
A volatile liquid obtained by distillation.

verb spirited, spiriting

1. To carry or convey them mysteriously or magically.

Thesaurus: abduct, kidnap, purloin, steal, seize, carry, convey, remove, whisk.
Form: spirit something or someone away (usually)
Form: spirit something or someone off
2. To give or add determination, courage or liveliness.

Form: spirit up (usually)

Idiom: in good spirits (in high etc spirits)

In a happy, contented, etc mood.

Idiom: in spirit

As a presence that is perceived to be there.
Example: I'll be with you in spirit, if not in person

Idiom: out of spirits

Sad or depressed.

Etymology: 13c: from French espirit, from Latin spiritus, from spirare to breathe.