spirit
♦♦ spir|it /sp'ɪrɪt/ (spirits spiriting spirited)
1 [N-SING]
Your spirit is the part of you that is not physical and that consists of your character and feelings.
The human spirit is virtually indestructible...
see also kindred spirit
2 [N-COUNT] usu poss N
A person's spirit is the non-physical part of them that is believed to remain alive after their death.
His spirit has left him and all that remains is the shell of his body.
= soul
3 [N-COUNT]
A spirit is a ghost or supernatural being.
...protection against evil spirits.
see also Holy Spirit
4 [N-UNCOUNT]
Spirit is the courage and determination that helps people to survive in difficult times and to keep their way of life and their beliefs.
She was a very brave girl and everyone who knew her admired her spirit.
5 [N-UNCOUNT]
Spirit is the liveliness and energy that someone shows in what they do.
They played with spirit.
6 [N-SING]
The spirit in which you do something is the attitude you have when you are doing it.
Their problem can only be solved in a spirit of compromise...
7 [N-UNCOUNT] usu with supp, oft n N
A particular kind of spirit is the feeling of loyalty to a group that is shared by the people who belong to the group.
There is a great sense of team spirit among the British Olympic squad...
8 [N-SING]
A particular kind of spirit is the set of ideas, beliefs, and aims that are held by a group of people.
...the real spirit of the Labour movement.
9 [N-SING] the N of n
The spirit of something such as a law or an agreement is the way that it was intended to be interpreted or applied.
The requirement for work permits violates the spirit of the 1950 treaty.
10 [N-COUNT] usu adj N
You can refer to a person as a particular kind of spirit if they show a certain characteristic or if they show a lot of enthusiasm in what they are doing.
I like to think of myself as a free spirit...
11 [N-PLURAL]
Your spirits are your feelings at a particular time, especially feelings of happiness or unhappiness.
At supper, everyone was in high spirits...
12 [VERB] be V-ed away, V n away, be V-ed prep/adv
If someone or something is spirited away, or if they are spirited out of somewhere, they are taken from a place quickly and secretly without anyone noticing. (WRITTEN)
He was spirited away and probably murdered...
His parents had spirited him away to the country...
It is possible that he has been spirited out of the country.
13 [N-PLURAL]
Spirits are strong alcoholic drinks such as whisky and gin.
14 [N-UNCOUNT]
Spirit or spirits is an alcoholic liquid that is used as a fuel, for cleaning things, or for other purposes. There are many kinds of spirit.
see also methylated spirits, surgical spiritfree spir|it (free spirits)
[N-COUNT]
If you describe someone as a free spirit, you admire them because they are independent and live as they want to live rather than in a conventional way.kin|dred spir|it (kindred spirits)
[N-COUNT]
A kindred spirit is a person who has the same view of life or the same interests as you.par|ty spir|it
[N-UNCOUNT]
If you talk about someone being in the party spirit, you mean that they are in the mood to enjoy a party or to have fun.
Sparkling wine can also put you in the party spirit.
= party moodspir|it lev|el (spirit levels)
also spirit-level
[N-COUNT]
A spirit level is a device for testing to see if a surface is level. It consists of a plastic, wood, or metal frame containing a glass tube of liquid with an air bubble in it.sur|gi|cal spir|it
[N-UNCOUNT]
Surgical spirit is a liquid which is used to clean wounds or surgical instruments. It consists mainly of alcohol. (BRIT; in AM, use rubbing alcohol)team spir|it
[N-UNCOUNT]
Team spirit is the feeling of pride and loyalty that exists among the members of a team and that makes them want their team to do well or to be the best.white spir|it
[N-UNCOUNT]
White spirit is a colourless liquid that is made from petrol and is used, for example, to make paint thinner or to clean surfaces. (BRIT; in AM, use turpentine)
1 [N-SING]
Your spirit is the part of you that is not physical and that consists of your character and feelings.
The human spirit is virtually indestructible...
see also kindred spirit
2 [N-COUNT] usu poss N
A person's spirit is the non-physical part of them that is believed to remain alive after their death.
His spirit has left him and all that remains is the shell of his body.
= soul
3 [N-COUNT]
A spirit is a ghost or supernatural being.
...protection against evil spirits.
see also Holy Spirit
4 [N-UNCOUNT]
Spirit is the courage and determination that helps people to survive in difficult times and to keep their way of life and their beliefs.
She was a very brave girl and everyone who knew her admired her spirit.
5 [N-UNCOUNT]
Spirit is the liveliness and energy that someone shows in what they do.
They played with spirit.
6 [N-SING]
The spirit in which you do something is the attitude you have when you are doing it.
Their problem can only be solved in a spirit of compromise...
7 [N-UNCOUNT] usu with supp, oft n N
A particular kind of spirit is the feeling of loyalty to a group that is shared by the people who belong to the group.
There is a great sense of team spirit among the British Olympic squad...
8 [N-SING]
A particular kind of spirit is the set of ideas, beliefs, and aims that are held by a group of people.
...the real spirit of the Labour movement.
9 [N-SING] the N of n
The spirit of something such as a law or an agreement is the way that it was intended to be interpreted or applied.
The requirement for work permits violates the spirit of the 1950 treaty.
10 [N-COUNT] usu adj N
You can refer to a person as a particular kind of spirit if they show a certain characteristic or if they show a lot of enthusiasm in what they are doing.
I like to think of myself as a free spirit...
11 [N-PLURAL]
Your spirits are your feelings at a particular time, especially feelings of happiness or unhappiness.
At supper, everyone was in high spirits...
12 [VERB] be V-ed away, V n away, be V-ed prep/adv
If someone or something is spirited away, or if they are spirited out of somewhere, they are taken from a place quickly and secretly without anyone noticing. (WRITTEN)
He was spirited away and probably murdered...
His parents had spirited him away to the country...
It is possible that he has been spirited out of the country.
13 [N-PLURAL]
Spirits are strong alcoholic drinks such as whisky and gin.
14 [N-UNCOUNT]
Spirit or spirits is an alcoholic liquid that is used as a fuel, for cleaning things, or for other purposes. There are many kinds of spirit.
see also methylated spirits, surgical spiritfree spir|it (free spirits)
[N-COUNT]
If you describe someone as a free spirit, you admire them because they are independent and live as they want to live rather than in a conventional way.kin|dred spir|it (kindred spirits)
[N-COUNT]
A kindred spirit is a person who has the same view of life or the same interests as you.par|ty spir|it
[N-UNCOUNT]
If you talk about someone being in the party spirit, you mean that they are in the mood to enjoy a party or to have fun.
Sparkling wine can also put you in the party spirit.
= party moodspir|it lev|el (spirit levels)
also spirit-level
[N-COUNT]
A spirit level is a device for testing to see if a surface is level. It consists of a plastic, wood, or metal frame containing a glass tube of liquid with an air bubble in it.sur|gi|cal spir|it
[N-UNCOUNT]
Surgical spirit is a liquid which is used to clean wounds or surgical instruments. It consists mainly of alcohol. (BRIT; in AM, use rubbing alcohol)team spir|it
[N-UNCOUNT]
Team spirit is the feeling of pride and loyalty that exists among the members of a team and that makes them want their team to do well or to be the best.white spir|it
[N-UNCOUNT]
White spirit is a colourless liquid that is made from petrol and is used, for example, to make paint thinner or to clean surfaces. (BRIT; in AM, use turpentine)