Synonyms for spirit
| Grammar : Noun |
| Spell : spir-it |
| Phonetic Transcription : ˈspɪr ɪt |
Top 10 synonyms for spirit Other synonyms for the word spirit
- air
- animation
- apparition
- ardor
- backbone
- boldness
- breath
- complexion
- dauntlessness
- disposition
- earnestness
- eidolon
- enterprise
- fire
- force
- frame of mind
- gameness
- gist
- grit
- guts
- intent
- intention
- jazz
- life force
- liveliness
- meaning
- mettle
- mood
- morale
- motivation
- nerve
- oomph
- outlook
- phantasm
- phantom
- poltergeist
- psyche
- purport
- purpose
- quality
- resolution
- resolve
- sense
- shade
- shadow
- soul
- sparkle
- specter
- spook
- sprite
- spunk
- stoutheartedness
- substance
- supernatural being
- temper
- temperament
- tenor
- timbre
- tone
- umbra
- vigor
- vision
- vital spark
- vitality
- warmth
- will
- willpower
- wraith
- zest
Définition of spirit
Origin :- mid-13c., "animating or vital principle in man and animals," from Old French espirit, from Latin spiritus "soul, courage, vigor, breath," related to spirare "to breathe," from PIE *(s)peis- "to blow" (cf. Old Church Slavonic pisto "to play on the flute").
- Original usage in English mainly from passages in Vulgate, where the Latin word translates Greek pneuma and Hebrew ruah. Distinction between "soul" and "spirit" (as "seat of emotions") became current in Christian terminology (e.g. Greek psykhe vs. pneuma, Latin anima vs. spiritus) but "is without significance for earlier periods" [Buck]. Latin spiritus, usually in classical Latin "breath," replaces animus in the sense "spirit" in the imperial period and appears in Christian writings as the usual equivalent of Greek pneuma.
- Meaning "supernatural being" is attested from c.1300 (see 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).
- noun soul, attitude
- noun atmosphere, essence
- noun ghost
- Wonderful are the accounts he brings of that far-off world, where his spirit wanders.
- Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
- Aspasia said wisely, that the spirit of beauty flows in, only where the proportions are harmonious.
- Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
- The spirit and the gifts of freedom ill assort with the condition of a slave.
- Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
- "That contains the spirit of all prayer," said the old philosopher.
- Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
- The spirit of the strong man was moved, and he trembled like a leaf shaken by the wind.
- Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
- His spirit yearned after his father, and his heart was sick for his forest home.
- Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
- I hope I'll have the old Bines philosophy and the young Bines spirit.
- Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
- But he was a generous man and all meanness of spirit was foreign to his soul.
- Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
- It is a spirit contracted in its views, selfish in its objects.
- Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
- When did you feel the fetters fust busting from your spirit?
- Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various
Antonyms for spirit
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019