spirit
/ˈspɪr.ɪt/
noun
Origin
Latin
spīritus — breath, spirit, vigor
Overview
Meaning Now
- The non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.
- The prevailing tone, attitude, or mood of a person or group.
- A distilled alcoholic beverage, especially one made from grain or fruit.
Literal older meaning
breath; breathing
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
spirit
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word entered English following the Norman Conquest, eventually displacing the Germanic term 'ghost' (from Old English 'gāst') in many non-religious contexts.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*(s)peys-
“to blow, breathe”
Root sense is the movement of air.
- Latin
spīrāre
“to breathe”
Verb from which the noun was derived.
- Latin
spīritus
“breath, soul, spirit”
Nomialization of the act of breathing.
- Old French
espirit
“spirit, soul, ghost”
Direct ancestor to the Middle English borrowing.
- Middle English
spirit
“spirit, soul”
Established spelling in ME.
Connections
Word parts
spirit
root
breath or soul
Related across languages
French
esprit
spirit, mind, wit
Spanish
espíritu
spirit, ghost
Italian
spirito
spirit, wit
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Related to spirit
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.