 |
| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Anglo-French |
| Origin: | Latin spiritus 'breath, spirit' |
Related topics:1 the qualities that make someone live the way they do, and make them different from other people
character
[singular, uncountable]RR independent/proud/free etc spirit (=a person with a particular type of character) 
She is a strong and independent spirit.
She is a strong and independent spirit.➔ kindred spirit
at kindred2 (1)2 the way someone feels at a particular time, for example if they are happy or sad [↪ mood]
happy/sad
spirits
[plural] be in good/high spirits (=be excited and happy) Seb was still in high spirits after winning the race.
Seb was still in high spirits after winning the race. somebody's spirits rise/lift/sink (=they become more or less happy) My spirits sank when I saw the mess they'd left.
My spirits sank when I saw the mess they'd left.3 the part of someone that you cannot see, that consists of the qualities that make up their character, which many people believe continues to live after the person has died [↪ soul]: Although Laurie is dead, I can feel his spirit with me.
soul
[countable]RRAlthough Laurie is dead, I can feel his spirit with me.4 a creature without a physical body that some people believe exists, such as an angel or a dead person, who has returned to this world and has strange or magical powers [↪ ghost]:
no body
[countable]RO5 courage, energy, and determination - use this to show approval : Sandra is small, but she makes up for it with great spirit.
determination
[uncountable]Sandra is small, but she makes up for it with great spirit.6 the attitude that you have towards something or while you are doing something : You've got to approach this meeting in the right spirit.
attitude
[singular, uncountable]You've got to approach this meeting in the right spirit.7 a strong feeling of belonging to a particular group and wanting to help them
team/community/public etc spirit
8 the set of ideas, beliefs, feelings etc that are typical of a particular period in history, a place, or a group of people
typical qualities
[countable usually singular] spirit of Tourism has not destroyed the spirit of Bali.
Tourism has not destroyed the spirit of Bali.9 if you say you will be somewhere in spirit or with someone in spirit, you will not be with them but will be thinking about them : I can't come to your wedding, but I'll be there in spirit.
in spirit
I can't come to your wedding, but I'll be there in spirit.10 to start to feel as happy, excited etc as the people around you : Judith couldn't really enter into the spirit of the occasion.
get/enter into the spirit (of something)
Judith couldn't really enter into the spirit of the occasion.11 the meaning or qualities that someone intended something to have, especially the meaning that a law or rule was intended to have : Thoreau believed that his actions were in the spirit of American institutions.
intention
[uncountable]Thoreau believed that his actions were in the spirit of American institutions.➔ the letter of the law
at letter1 (4)13
drink
[countable usually plural]a) especially British EnglishDFD a strong alcoholic drink such as whisky or brandy
b) British English liquid such as alcohol, used for cleaning
16 used when saying that you want to do something, but you are too tired or do not feel strong enough - often used humorously
