spirit

spirit
{{11}}spirit (n.) mid-13c., "animating or vital principle in man and animals," from O.Fr. espirit, from L. spiritus "soul, courage, vigor, breath," related to spirare "to breathe," from PIE * (s)peis- "to blow" (Cf. O.C.S. pisto "to play on the flute"). Original usage in English mainly from passages in Vulgate, where the Latin word translates Gk. pneuma and Heb. ruah. Distinction between "soul" and "spirit" (as "seat of emotions") became current in Christian terminology (e.g. Gk. psykhe vs. pneuma, L. anima vs. spiritus) but "is without significance for earlier periods" [Buck]. L. spiritus, usually in classical L. "breath," replaces animus in the sense "spirit" in the imperial period and appears in Christian writings as the usual equivalent of Gk. pneuma. Meaning "supernatural being" is attested from c.1300 (see GHOST (Cf. ghost)); that of "essential principle of something" (in a non-theological sense, e.g. Spirit of St. Louis) is attested from 1690, common after 1800. Plural form spirits "volatile substance" is an alchemical idea, first attested 1610; sense narrowed to "strong alcoholic liquor" by 1670s. This also is the sense in spirit level (1768).
{{12}}spirit (v.) 1590s, "to make more active or energetic" (of blood, alcohol, etc.), from SPIRIT (Cf. spirit) (n.). The meaning "carry off or away secretly" (as though by supernatural agency) is first recorded 1660s.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Spirit — Spir it, n. [OF. espirit, esperit, F. esprit, L. spiritus, from spirare to breathe, to blow. Cf. {Conspire}, {Expire}, {Esprit}, {Sprite}.] 1. Air set in motion by breathing; breath; hence, sometimes, life itself. [Obs.] All of spirit would… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • spirit — SPÍRIT, spirite, s.n. I. 1. Factor ideal al existenţei (opus materiei); conştiinţă, gândire; p. ext. minte, raţiune, intelect. ♦ Inteligenţă, deşteptăciune, isteţime; capacitate de imaginaţie, fantezie. ♢ expr. (Om) de (sau cu) spirit = (om) cu… …   Dicționar Român

  • Spirit — (engl.: Geist) ist: Spirit (Band), eine amerikanische Band Spirit (CAD), eine CAD Software für Windows Spirit Racing, ein ehemaliges Formel 1 Team Spirit (Parser), ein rekursiv absteigender objekt orientierter Parsergenerator Spirit (Raumsonde),… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Spirit of '76 — can refer to a variety of things, including:*Spirit of 76 (history), a patriotic phrase related to the United States declaration of liberty from the United Kingdom in 1776 *A famous painting by Archibald MacNeal Willard commemorating U.S.… …   Wikipedia

  • Spirit — • Used in several different but allied senses: (1) as signifying a living, intelligent, incorporeal being, such as the soul; (2) as the fiery essence or breath (the Stoic pneuma) which was supposed to be the universal vital force; (3) as… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Spirit MC — Spirit Martial Challenge (Spirit MC) is a South Korean mixed martial arts promotion operated by Entlian Corporation.The promotion is separated into Spirit MC (Professional League), Spirit MC Inter League, Spirit MC Amateur League. Amateur League… …   Wikipedia

  • spirit — [spir′it] n. [ME < OFr espirit < L spiritus, breath, courage, vigor, the soul, life, in LL(Ec), spirit < spirare, to blow, breathe < IE base * (s)peis , to blow > (prob.) Norw fisa, to puff, blow, OSlav piskati, to pipe, whistle] 1 …   English World dictionary

  • spirit — ► NOUN 1) a person s non physical being, composed of their character and emotions. 2) this regarded as surviving after the death of the body, often manifested as a ghost. 3) a supernatural being. 4) the prevailing or typical character, quality,… …   English terms dictionary

  • Spirit — Spir it, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spirited}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Spiriting}.] 1. To animate with vigor; to excite; to encourage; to inspirit; as, civil dissensions often spirit the ambition of private men; sometimes followed by up. [1913 Webster] Many… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • špirit — špìrit m DEFINICIJA kem. alkohol koji se dobiva procesom alkoholnog vrenja od voćnih sokova, melase škroba i celuloze, a i sintetičkim putem; žesta SINTAGMA denaturirani špirit špirit kojem su dodane tvari da se ne može piti (nego upotrebljavati… …   Hrvatski jezični portal

  • spirit — [n1] soul, attitude air, animation, ardor, backbone*, boldness, breath, character, complexion, courage, dauntlessness, disposition, earnestness, energy, enterprise, enthusiasm, essence, fire, force, frame of mind, gameness, grit*, guts*, heart,… …   New thesaurus

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