Spirit

(Heb. ruah; Gr. pneuma), properly wind or breath. In 2 Thess. 2:8 it means “breath,” and in Eccl. 8:8 the vital principle in man. It also denotes the rational, immortal soul by which man is distinguished (Acts 7:59; 1 Cor. 5:5; 6:20; 7:34), and the soul in its separate state (Heb. 12:23), and hence also an apparition (Job 4:15; Luke 24:37, 39), an angel (Heb. 1:14), and a demon (Luke 4:36; 10:20). This word is used also metaphorically as denoting a tendency (Zech. 12:10; Luke 13:11). In Rom. 1:4, 1 Tim. 3:16, 2 Cor. 3:17, 1 Pet. 3:18, it designates the divine nature.

SPIR'IT. Both in Greek and Hebrew the word for this implies a "blowing" or "breathing;" its primary sense is "wind." In 2 Thess 2:8 it is used for breath, in Eccl 8:8 for the vital principle; while in other places it denotes the soul. Angels, both good and bad, souls without bodies, are thus designated. Matt 14:26; Luke 24:39. Metaphorically, the tendency or inclination is similarly called; hence we have a spirit of grace and of supplication, Zech 12:10, a spirit of infirmity. Luke 13:11, etc. The Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is the third Person of the Holy Trinity, of one essence or nature with the Father and the Son, yet distinct from them. He is the Author of regeneration and sanctification. He applies the work of redemption to us, and makes us partakers of all the benefits of Christ, of his righteousness, life, and death. He is our Advocate, who pleads our cause, who strengthens and comforts us and prepares us for glory in heaven. Matt 1:18, Ruth 4:20; Matt 28:19; John 1:33; Mark 14:26; John 16:7-8; John 20:22; Acts 2:4; Rom 5:5; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Thess 4:8. Our English Version uses, in most passages, the term Holy Ghost; in four passages, Holy Spirit, which is better.

SPIR'IT. Both in Greek and Hebrew the word for this implies a "blowing" or "breathing;" its primary sense is "wind." In 2 Thess 2:8 it is used for breath, in Eccl 8:8 for the vital principle; while in other places it denotes the soul. Angels, both good and bad, souls without bodies, are thus designated. Matt 14:26; Luke 24:39. Metaphorically, the tendency or inclination is similarly called; hence we have a spirit of grace and of supplication, Zech 12:10, a spirit of infirmity. Luke 13:11, etc. The Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is the third Person of the Holy Trinity, of one essence or nature with the Father and the Son, yet distinct from them. He is the Author of regeneration and sanctification. He applies the work of redemption to us, and makes us partakers of all the benefits of Christ, of his righteousness, life, and death. He is our Advocate, who pleads our cause, who strengthens and comforts us and prepares us for glory in heaven. Matt 1:18, Ruth 4:20; Matt 28:19; John 1:33; Mark 14:26; John 16:7-8; John 20:22; Acts 2:4; Rom 5:5; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Thess 4:8. Our English Version uses, in most passages, the term Holy Ghost; in four passages, Holy Spirit, which is better.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Air set in motion by breathing; breath; hence, sometimes, life itself. [Obs.] "All of spirit would deprive." Spenser. The mild air, with season moderate, Gently attempered, and disposed eo well, That still it breathed foorth sweet spirit. Spenser.

2. A rough breathing; an aspirate, as the letter h; also, a mark to denote aspiration; a breathing. [Obs.] Be it a letter or spirit, we have great use for it. B. Jonson.

3. Life, or living substance, considered independently of corporeal existence; an intelligence conceived of apart from any physical organization or embodiment; vital essence, force, or energy, as distinct from matter.

4. The intelligent, immaterial and immortal part of man; the soul, in distinction from the body in which it resides; the agent or subject of vital and spiritual functions, whether spiritual or material. There is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Job xxxii. 8. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James ii. 26. Spirit is a substance wherein thinking, knowing, doubting, and a power of moving, do subsist. Locke.

5. Specifically, a disembodied soul; the human soul after it has left the body. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Eccl. xii. 7. Ye gentle spirits far away, With whom we shared the cup of grace. Keble.

6. Any supernatural being, good or bad; an apparition; a specter; a ghost; also, sometimes, a sprite,; a fairy; an elf. Whilst young, preserve his tender mind from all impressions of spirits and goblins in the dark. Locke.

7. Energy, vivacity, ardor, enthusiasm, courage, etc. "Write it then, quickly," replied Bede; and summoning all his spirits together, like the last blaze of a candle going out, he indited it, and expired. Fuller.

8. One who is vivacious or lively; one who evinces great activity or peculiar characteristics of mind or temper; as, a ruling spirit; a schismatic spirit. Such spirits as he desired to please, such would I choose for my judges. Dryden.

9. Temper or disposition of mind; mental condition or disposition; intellectual or moral state; -- often in the plural; as, to be cheerful, or in good spirits; to be downhearted, or in bad spirits. God has . . . made a spirit of building succeed a spirit of pulling down. South. A perfect judge will read each work of wit With the same spirit that its author writ. Pope.

10. Intent; real meaning; -- opposed to the letter, or to formal statement; also, characteristic quality, especially such as is derived from the individual genius or the personal character; as, the spirit of an enterprise, of a document, or the like.

11. Tenuous, volatile, airy, or vapory substance, possessed of active qualities. All bodies have spirits . . . within them. Bacon.

12. Any liquid produced by distillation; especially, alcohol, the spirits, or spirit, of wine (it having been first distilled from wine): -- often in the plural.

13. Rum, whisky, brandy, gin, and other distilled liquors having much alcohol, in distinction from wine and malt liquors.

14. A solution in alcohol of a volatile principle. Cf. Tincture. U. S. Disp.

15. Any one of the four substances, sulphur, sal ammoniac, quicksilver, or arsenic (or, according to some, orpiment). The four spirits and the bodies seven. Chaucer.

16. Stannic chloride. See under Stannic.

Synonyms: Life; ardor; energy; fire; courage; animatioon; cheerfulness; vivacity; enterprise.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To animate with vigor; to excite; to encourage; to inspirit; as, civil dissensions often spirit the ambition of private men; -- sometimes followed by up. Many officers and private men spirit up and assist those obstinate people to continue in their rebellion. Swift .

2. To convey rapidly and secretly, or mysteriously, as if by the agency of a spirit; to kidnap; -- often with away, or off. The ministry had him spirited away, and carried abroad as a dangerous person. Arbuthnot & Pope. I felt as if I had been spirited into some castle of antiquity. Willis. Spiriting away (Law), causing to leave; the offense of inducing a witness to leave a jurisdiction so as to evade process requiring attendance at trial.