(spir′it) noun
1. The principle of life and energy in man and animals, at one time regarded as being composed of an especially refined substance, such as breath or warm air, separable from the body, mysterious in nature, and ascribable to a divine origin.
2. An entity conceived of as that part of a human being that is incorporeal and invisible and is characterized by intelligence, personality, self–consciousness, and will; the mind: opposed to body.
3. The substance or universal aspect of reality, regarded as independent of and opposed to matter.
4. In the Bible, the creative, animating power or divine influence of God. Joel ii 28.
5. A rational, supernatural being without a material body, as an angel, demon, elf, fairy, etc.; specifically, such a being with a certain character or a particular abode or area of activity; an evil spirit.
6. A disembodied soul regarded as manifested to the senses, often as visible or having some kind of immaterial body; a ghost; specter: Hamlet saw his father's spirit.
7. A person regarded with reference to any peculiar activity, characteristic, or temper: a leading spirit in the community.
8. Usually plural A state of mind; mood; temper: Success raised his spirits.
9. Vivacity or energy; ardor; dash; fire: an attack made with spirit.
10. Ardent loyalty or devotion: school spirit.
11. True intent or meaning as opposed to outward, formal signification: to keep the spirit of the law. Compare LETTER (def. 5).
12. The emotional or affective faculty of man; the heart: Great poetry stirs the spirit.
13. The characteristic temper or disposition of a period or of a movement: the spirit of the Reformation.
14. plural A strong alcoholic liquor or liquid obtained by distillation.
15. Usually plural Chem. a The essence or distilled extract of a substance: spirits of turpentine. b Ethanol.
16. Often plural In pharmacy, a solution of a volatile principle in alcohol; a tincture; essence: spirits of ammonia.
17. In dyeing, a solution of a tin salt in acid.
18. In alchemy, one of four substances, mercury, sal ammoniac, sulfur, and arsenic (or orpiment).
19. In medieval physiology, one of the three degrees of spirit inherent in the human body: natural spirit, located in the liver and underlying the processes of nutrition, growth, and reproduction; vital spirit, located in the heart, which circulated heat and life through the body; animal spirit, located in the brain, which guided reason and conveyed the powers of motion and sensation to and through the nerves.
20. Obs. Breathed air; breeze; wind.
21. Obs. The breath; life. See synonyms under CHARACTER, COURAGE, MIND, SPECTER.
—v.t.
1. To carry off secretly or mysteriously, as if by the agency of a spirit: with away, off, etc.
2. To infuse with spirit or animation; inspirit; encourage: often with up.
—adjective
1. Of or pertaining to ghosts or the belief in the existence of departed souls; spiritualistic.
2. Operated by the burning of alcohol: a spirit lamp. [<OF espirit <L spiritus breathing <spirare breathe. Doublet of SPRITE.]

(spir′it) noun
In Christian theology, the Holy Spirit.