spirit

Pronunciation: /ˈspɪrɪt/

Definition of spirit

1the non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul:we seek a harmony between body and spirit
the non-physical part of a person regarded as their true self and as capable of surviving physical death or separation:a year after he left, his spirit is still present
the non-physical part of a person manifested as an apparition after their death; a ghost: a priest performed a rite of exorcism and the wandering spirit was ousted
a supernatural being:shrines to nature spirits
(Spirit)short for Holy Spirit.

2 [in singular] the prevailing or typical quality, mood, or attitude of a person, group, or period of time:I hope the team will build on this spirit of confidence the university is a symbol of the nation’s egalitarian spirit
[with adjective] a person identified with their most prominent quality or with their role in a group or movement:he was a leading spirit in the conference
(often spirits) a person’s mood or attitude:the warm weather lifted everyone’s spirits he confessed in a spirit of self-respect
[mass noun] the quality of courage, energy, and determination:his visitors admired his spirit and good temper

3the real meaning or the intention behind something as opposed to its strict verbal interpretation:the rule had been broken in spirit if not in letter

4 (usually spirits) chiefly British strong distilled alcoholic drink such as brandy, whisky, gin, or rum.
[mass noun, with modifier] a volatile liquid, especially a fuel, prepared by distillation:aviation spirit
archaic a solution of volatile components extracted from something, typically by distillation or by solution in alcohol:spirits of turpentine

5 archaic a highly refined substance or fluid thought to govern vital phenomena.

1 [with object and adverbial of direction] convey rapidly and secretly:stolen cows were spirited away some distance to prevent detection

Phrases

enter into the spirit: join wholeheartedly in an event, especially one of celebration and festivity:he entered into the spirit of the occasion by dressing as a pierrot
in (or in the) spirit: in thought or intention though not physically:he couldn’t be here in person, but he is with us in spirit
the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak: proverb someone has good intentions but fails to live up to them.
[with biblical allusion to Matt. 26:41]
when the spirit moves someone: when someone feels inclined to do something:he can be quite candid when the spirit moves him
[a phrase originally in Quaker use, with reference to the Holy Spirit]
the spirit world: (in animistic and occult belief) the non-physical realm in which disembodied spirits have their existence.

spirit someone up: archaic stimulate, animate, or cheer up someone: well, I shall spirit up the Colonel as soon as I can

Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French, from Latin spiritus 'breath, spirit', from spirare 'breathe'

Definition of spirit in the US English dictionary