spirit

Universal Words noun, verb noun mind / feelings / character 1 [U,C] the part of a person that includes their mind, feelings and character rather than their body: the power of the human spirit to overcome difficulties 2 (spirits) [pl.] a person's feelings or state of mind: to be in high / low spirits * You must try and keep your spirits up (= stay cheerful). * My spirits sank at the prospect of starting all over again. 3 [C] (always with an adjective) a person of the type mentioned: a brave / generous / mean / proud spirit * kindred spirits (= people who like the same things as you) * She was one of the leading spirits of the reform movement. seealsoFREESPIRIT courage / determination 4 [U] courage, determination or energy: Show a little fighting spirit. * Although the team lost, they played with tremendous spirit. * They took away his freedom and broke his spirit. loyal feelings 5 [U,sing.] loyal feelings towards a group, team or society: There's not much community spirit around here. seealsoTEAMSPIRIT attitude 6 [sing.] a state of mind or mood; an attitude: We approached the situation in the wrong spirit. * 'OK, I'll try'. 'That's the spirit (= the right attitude).' * The party went well because everyone entered into the spirit of things. * It's too early to go home yet! Where's your spirit of adventure? seealsoPARTYSPIRIT typical quality 7 [sing.] the typical or most important quality or mood of sth: the spirit of the times * the pioneer spirit * The exhibition captures the spirit of 'Cool Britannia'. real meaning 8 [U] the real or intended meaning or purpose of sth: Obey the spirit, not the letter (= the narrow meaning of the words) of the law. soul 9 [C] the soul thought of as separate from the body and believed to live on after death; a GHOST: He is dead, but his spirit lives on. * It was believed that people could be possessed by evil spirits. seealsoTHEHOLYSPIRIT imaginary creature 10 [C] (old-fashioned) an imaginary creature with magic powers, for example, a FAIRY or an ELF alcohol 11 [C,usually pl.] (especially BrE) a strong alcoholic drink: I don't drink whisky or brandy or any other spirits. 12 [U] a special type of alcohol used in industry or medicine seealsoMETHYLATEDSPIRIT, SURGICALSPIRIT, WHITESPIRIT IDIOMS in spirit in your thoughts: I shall be with you in spirit (= thinking about you though not with you physically). the spirit is willing (but the flesh is weak) (humorous, saying) you intend to do good things but you are too lazy, weak or busy to actually do them as / when / if the spirit moves you as/when/if you feel like it: I'll go for a run this evening, if the spirit moves me. moreatFIGHTv., RAISEv. verb [VN+adv./prep.] to take sb/sth away in a quick, secret or mysterious way: After the concert, the band was spirited away before their fans could get near them.