definitions

spirit

[ spir-it ]
/ ˈspɪr ɪt /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR spirit ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

adjective

pertaining to something that works by burning alcoholic spirits: a spirit stove.
of or relating to spiritualist bodies or activities.

verb (used with object)

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RELATED WORDS

capture, hijack, snatch, steal, seize, confiscate, commandeer, force, arrest, apprehend, annex, occupy, ambush, take, catch, kidnap, grab, overrun, impound, pull

Nearby words

spires, spiriferous, spirillar, spirillum, spirillum minus, spirit, spirit away, spirit cave, spirit compass, spirit gum, spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, the

Idioms

    out of spirits, in low spirits; depressed: We were feeling out of spirits after so many days of rain.

Origin of spirit

1200–50; Middle English (noun) < Latin spīritus orig., a breathing, equivalent to spīri-, combining form representing spīrāre to breathe + -tus suffix of v. action

SYNONYMS FOR spirit

2 life, mind, consciousness, essence.
5 apparition, phantom, shade. See ghost.
6 goblin, hobgoblin.
7 genius.
14 enthusiasm, energy, zeal, ardor, fire, enterprise.
15 attitude, mood, humor.
17 nature, drift, tenor, gist, essence, sense, complexion.
19 intention, significance, purport.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR spirit ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

spir·it·like, adjectivenon·spir·it, nounout·spir·it, verb (used with object)un·spir·it·ing, adjective

Can be confused

spirit sprite
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for spirit away (1 of 3)

Spirit

/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /

noun the Spirit

  1. another name for the Holy Spirit
  2. God, esp when regarded as transcending material limitations
the influence of God or divine things upon the soul
Christian Science God or divine substance

British Dictionary definitions for spirit away (2 of 3)

spirit

1
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /

noun

verb (tr)

(usually foll by away or off) to carry off mysteriously or secretly
(often foll by up) to impart animation or determination to

Word Origin for spirit

C13: from Old French esperit, from Latin spīritus breath, spirit; related to spīrāre to breathe

British Dictionary definitions for spirit away (3 of 3)

spirit

2
/ (ˈspɪrɪt) /

noun

(often plural) any distilled alcoholic liquor such as brandy, rum, whisky, or gin
chem
  1. an aqueous solution of ethanol, esp one obtained by distillation
  2. the active principle or essence of a substance, extracted as a liquid, esp by distillation
pharmacol
  1. a solution of a volatile substance, esp a volatile oil, in alcohol
  2. (as modifier)a spirit burner
alchemy any of the four substances sulphur, mercury, sal ammoniac, or arsenic

Word Origin for spirit

C14: special use of spirit 1, name applied to alchemical substances (as in sense 4), hence extended to distilled liquids
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for spirit away

spirit

[ spĭr′ĭt ]

n.

spirits An alcohol solution of an essential or volatile substance.
spirits An alcoholic beverage, especially distilled liquor.
A liquid that has been distilled.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with spirit away (1 of 2)

spirit away

Carry off mysteriously or secretly, as in The police found that the documents had been spirited away from the office. This term derives from the noun spirit, in the sense of “a supernatural being such as a ghost.” [Second half of 1600s]

Idioms and Phrases with spirit away (2 of 2)

spirit

In addition to the idioms beginning with spirit

  • spirit away
  • spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, the

also see:

  • kindred spirit
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.