From Middle English soule, sowle, saule, sawle, from Old English sāwol (“soul, life, spirit, being”), from Proto-West Germanic *saiwalu, from Proto-Germanic *saiwalō (“soul”), of an uncertain ultimate origin (see there for further information).
Cognates
Cognate with Scots saul, sowel (“soul”), Saterland Frisian Seele (“soul”), West Frisian siel (“soul”), Alemannic German Seel (“soul”), Central Franconian Siel (“soul”), Dutch ziel (“soul”), German Seele (“soul”), German Low German Seel (“soul”), Luxembourgish Séil (“soul, spirit”), Vilamovian zejł, zəjł, zyił (“soul”), Gothic 𐍃𐌰𐌹𐍅𐌰𐌻𐌰 (saiwala, “soul”). Scandinavian homonyms seem to have been borrowed from Old Saxon sēola. Modern Danish sjæl (“soul”), Icelandic sál (“soul”), Norwegian Bokmål sjel (“soul”), Norwegian Nynorsk sjel, sål (“soul”), Swedish själ (“soul”), Finnish sielu (“soul”) may have come from Old English sāwol.
Meanings
(not-comparable) Characteristic of or pertaining to African American culture.
From Middle English soule, sowle, saule, sawle, from Old English sāwol (“soul, life, spirit, being”), from Proto-West Germanic *saiwalu, from Proto-Germanic *saiwalō (“soul”), of an uncertain ultimate origin (see there for further information).
Cognates
Cognate with Scots saul, sowel (“soul”), Saterland Frisian Seele (“soul”), West Frisian siel (“soul”), Alemannic German Seel (“soul”), Central Franconian Siel (“soul”), Dutch ziel (“soul”), German Seele (“soul”), German Low German Seel (“soul”), Luxembourgish Séil (“soul, spirit”), Vilamovian zejł, zəjł, zyił (“soul”), Gothic 𐍃𐌰𐌹𐍅𐌰𐌻𐌰 (saiwala, “soul”). Scandinavian homonyms seem to have been borrowed from Old Saxon sēola. Modern Danish sjæl (“soul”), Icelandic sál (“soul”), Norwegian Bokmål sjel (“soul”), Norwegian Nynorsk sjel, sål (“soul”), Swedish själ (“soul”), Finnish sielu (“soul”) may have come from Old English sāwol.
Meanings
(countable, uncountable) The spirit or essence of a person usually thought to consist of one's thoughts and personality, often believed to live on after the person's death.
1836, Hans Christian Andersen (translated into English by Mrs. H. B. Paull in 1872), The Little Mermaid
"Among the daughters of the air," answered one of them. "A mermaid has not an immortal soul, nor can she obtain one unless she wins the love of a human being. On the power of another hangs her eternal destiny. But the daughters of the air, although they do not possess an immortal soul, can, by their good deeds, procure one for themselves.
No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or[…]. And at last I began to realize in my harassed soul that all elusion was futile, and to take such holidays as I could get, when he was off with a girl, in a spirit of thankfulness. 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 46:
Flowey: See that heart? That is your SOUL, the very culmination of your being! 2015 September 15, Toby Fox, Undertale, Linux, Microsoft Windows, OS X:
(countable, uncountable) The spirit or essence of anything.
It is possible with only these qualities for a man to be a reasonably efficient President, but there is one thing more needed to make him a great President. It is that quality of soul which makes a man loved by little children, by dumb animals, that quality of soul which makes him a strong help to all those in sorrow or in trouble, that quality which makes him not merely admired, but loved by all the people - the quality of sympathetic understanding of the human heart, of real interest in one's fellow men. 1928, Franklin D. Roosevelt, The Happy Warrior Alfred E. Smith, Houghton Mifflin, →OCLC, →OL, pages 36–37:
From another point of view, it was a place without a soul. The well-to-do had hearts of stone; the rich were brutally bumptious; the Press, the Municipality, all the public men, were ridiculously, vaingloriously self-satisfied. 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XXII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
"There's a vibrancy that comes from the building's historic soul metting the rhythm of the Caribbean," says Monnier. 2026 May 14, Julie Coe, quoting Annie Monnier, “The Rest is History”, in Architectural Digest, volume 83, number 4, page 36:
(countable, uncountable) Life, energy, vigor.
That he vvants Algebra he muſt confeſs. / But not a ſoul to give our arms ſucceſs. 1725, [Edward Young], “Satire III. To the Right Honourable Mr. Dodington.”, in Love of Fame, the Universal Passion. In Seven Characteristical Satires, 4th edition, London: […] J[acob] and R[ichard] Tonson […], published 1741, →OCLC, page 52:
(countable, uncountable) Cultural consciousness and pride among people of African American heritage.
(countable, uncountable) A strong positive feeling of intense sensitivity and emotional fervor conveyed especially by African American performers.
(countable, uncountable) Soul music.
(countable, uncountable) A person, especially as one among many.
18 January 1915, D. H. Lawrence, letter to William Hopkin
I want to gather together about twenty souls and sail away from this world of war and squalor and found a little colony where there shall be no money but a sort of communism as far as necessaries of life go, and some real decency.
Ordo Malleus''' Inquisitor: I hereby sign the death warrant of an entire world, and consign a million souls to oblivion. 2011, Relic Entertainment, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Retribution, scene: Exterminatus declared on Typhon Primaris:
(countable, uncountable) An individual life.
Fifty souls were lost when the ship sank.
(countable, uncountable) A kind of submanifold involved in the soul theorem of Riemannian geometry.
zu umoya (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · se heagga (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · cs soul (soul music) · eo animo (life, energy, vigour) · gd anam (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · oj ojichaag (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · it anima (person, especially as one among many) · haw ʻuhane (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · orv душа (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · uk со́ул (soul music) · nl soul (soul music) · gl ánima (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · su manah (life, energy, vigour) · eo soulo (soul music) · my ဝိညာဉ် (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tk ruh (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · si ආත්මය (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · arc ܪܘܚܐ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · lad alma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · af siel (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · frr Siil (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · unm lënapeokàn (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · eo animo (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hu lélek (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sga ainimm (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · arc רוחא (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ln molimo (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ja 霊 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tr can (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · mi wairua (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sd رُوحُ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · io anmo (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · pl dusza (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · el σόουλ (soul music) · kpv лов (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sq zë (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tg ҷон (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · izh henki (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ms jiwa (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · wa åme (life, energy, vigour) · da soulmusik (soul music) · ky жан (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ug روھ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sh dúša (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · rup suflet (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ms roh (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · nmn ǃnáã-sé (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · kbd псэ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · id ruh (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ja ソール (soul music) · fr soul (soul music) · uz nafs (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ba рух (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · mn сүнс (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ba йән (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ja ソウル (soul music) · he רוח חיים (life, energy, vigour) · ur نَفْس (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · udm лул (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sa प्राणी (person, especially as one among many) · tg рӯҳ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · xal седкл (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ko 얼 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · shn ဝိၺၢၼ်ႇ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ota روح (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ro suflet (person, especially as one among many) · ngh ǀʻumsi (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · roa-opt alma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · lez руьгь (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · da sjæl (person, especially as one among many) · hu soul (soul music) · ain ラマ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tt җан (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · nb soul (soul music) · osx gēst (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · lv dvēsele (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ist anema (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ru дух (life, energy, vigour) · ka სული (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · de Geist (life, energy, vigour) · tt кот (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · es pneuma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · bg дух (life, energy, vigour) · ar نَفْس (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fur anime f ànime (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · qu nuna (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · alt тын (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fa جان (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · pt soul (soul music) · la animus (person, especially as one among many) · ko 정신 (life, energy, vigour) · uz dil (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hu fő (person, especially as one among many) · sa विज्ञान (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ca ànima (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · la animus (soul music) · la animus (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fi sielu (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tg дил (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · kw enev (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ltg dvēsele (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ps نفس (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · vep heng (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · id insan (person, especially as one among many) · ilo kararua (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · bcl kalag (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fa نَفْس (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ba кеше (person, especially as one among many) · za hoenz (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · yai ҷон (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · uk душа́ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · srn sili (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sq avë (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ru душа́ (life, energy, vigour) · nn sjel (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · he נֶפֶשׁ (person, especially as one among many) · vro henǵ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ms nyawa (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tt рух (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · he רוּחַ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ba инсан (person, especially as one among many) · hu lélek (life, energy, vigour) · ur رُوح (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · cy enaid (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · yi נעשאָמע (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sw roho (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tr ruh (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tab рюгь (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ms semangat (life, energy, vigour) · he נֶפֶשׁ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · da sjæl (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hy հոգի (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ia anima (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · mn ᠰᠦ᠋ᠨ᠋ᠡᠰᠦ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hi रूह (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ny mzímu (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · dsb duša (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · la animus (life, energy, vigour) · xto āñcäm (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · pt alma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · mhr ӧрт (life, energy, vigour) · mns-nor ис (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · gur sɩa (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ko 넋 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hu lélek (person, especially as one among many) · el ψυχή (person, especially as one among many) · mt ruħ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sw nafsi (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · goh ferah (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · uga 𐎐𐎔𐎌 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fi henki (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · kk жан (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · mnc ᡶᠠᠶᠠᠩᡤᠠ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · nv iiʼ sizíinii (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · mrj йӓнг (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ab аԥсы (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ko 소울 (soul music) · kk діл (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · kw ena (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · mi puoro kōmanawa (soul music) · fi soul (soul music) · te ఆత్మ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · pi viññāṇa (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · mi tino (life, energy, vigour) · osx sēola (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · stq Seele (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · km វិញ្ញាណ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · pl osoba (person, especially as one among many) · pam kaladua (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · he נפש חיה (person, especially as one among many) · fi sielu (life, energy, vigour) · hu ember (person, especially as one among many) · lkt naǧí (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ja 魂 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tl kalag (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · rsk душа (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · izh henki (person, especially as one among many) · fi sielu (person, especially as one among many) · ro suflet (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · lt siela (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · km ព្រលឹង (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ja 魂魄 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ur آتْما (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · pov alma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · id jiwa (person, especially as one among many) · pl życie (life, energy, vigour) · rue душа́ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · yue 靈魂 /灵魂 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · kk рух (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · is sál (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · kmr rih (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ady псэ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tg нафс (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fr âme (life, energy, vigour) · vo lan (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sd रूहु (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ka გული (life, energy, vigour) · mdf вайме (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tyv сүнезин (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · yoi 魂 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · it soul (soul music) · wa åme (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · te నూటికి ఒక్కడు (person, especially as one among many) · sk soul (soul music) · lv dvēsele (life, energy, vigour) · yue 魂魄 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · qu aya (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · non sál (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tt өрәк (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ar نفس (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sl duša (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ccc sana'ne (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · srn yeye (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · enm soule (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · pl soul (soul music) · he נְשָׁמָה (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · bg душа́ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hi जीवन (person, especially as one among many) · bo རྣམ་ཤེས (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · vec ànema (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · bn রূহ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sh ду́ша (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · br ene (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · uz jon (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · str SELI (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ky рух (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · yi נשמה (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · id nyawa (life, energy, vigour) · de Seele (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · odt sēla (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · de Soul (soul music) · ko 령혼 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ar رُوح (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · la anima (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · it anima (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · nog ян (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ak kra (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sv själ (life, energy, vigour) · nl geest (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · eu arima (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ak ɔkra (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · prg dūsi (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tl kaluluwa (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ug دىل (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fi henki (life, energy, vigour) · vi linh hồn (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ota جان (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · kix ūotshōu (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · csb dësza (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · zh 魂魄 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · enm soule (life, energy, vigour) · da soul (soul music) · az can (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · gu આત્મા (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · eu gogo (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · chr ᎠᏓᎾᏔ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sk duša (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hu önvaló (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · shn ၶႂၼ်ငဝ်း (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fa روح (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · zh 魂 (life, energy, vigour) · ar سول (soul music) · zh 靈魂 /灵魂 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · uz ruh (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · rm olma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · mzn جان (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ne आत्मा (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · lb Séil (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sv själ (person, especially as one among many) · uk дух (life, energy, vigour) · ovd själ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · yag kašpíx (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ml ആത്മാവ് (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sa आत्मन् (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fr âme (person, especially as one among many) · mk душа (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · om lubbuu (life, energy, vigour) · ga anam (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hi आत्मा (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ce са (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hi नफ्स (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · alt јан (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ta ஆன்மா (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ko 영혼 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · th วิญญาณ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tr tin (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · cy ysbryd (life, energy, vigour) · ky дил (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · or ଆତ୍ମା (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · zh 心靈 /心灵 (life, energy, vigour) · cu доуша (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · et hing (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · be душа́ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · os уд (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · zh 靈魂 /灵魂 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ru душа́ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · cy ysbryd (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tsg nyawa (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ba бәндә (person, especially as one among many) · srn kra (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · cop ⲯⲩⲭⲏ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ko 넋 (life, energy, vigour) · ar روح (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · az ruh (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · am ነፍስ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · lol elimo (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ko 혼백 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fro ame (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · pt ânimo (life, energy, vigour) · gv annym (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hsb duša (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · da gejst (life, energy, vigour) · ja 精神 (life, energy, vigour) · ps روح (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · he נְשָׁמָה (life, energy, vigour) · tk jan (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ryu まぶい (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sv själ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · el ψυχή (life, energy, vigour) · nl ziel (life, energy, vigour) · txb āñme (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · nb sjel (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ast alma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · bn আত্মা (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sv soul (soul music) · bni molimo (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fr âme (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · he נְשָׁמָה (soul music) · mr आत्मा (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · mhr ӧрт (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ja 魂 (life, energy, vigour) · gag can (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · chk ngun (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sah сүр (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · nl ziel (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · cs duše (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ru со́ул (soul music) · kn ಆತ್ಮ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · av рухӏ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · bh आत्मा (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · bn জান (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sq shpirt (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · grc ψυχή (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sa त्मन् (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sa सात्मप्राणी (person, especially as one among many) · tab жан (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · swb roho (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · enm soule (person, especially as one among many) · dlm jamna (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ca ànima (life, energy, vigour) · oc arma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fy siele (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · rup suflit (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · lv velis (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ro spirit (life, energy, vigour) · zdj nafusi (person, especially as one among many) · fo sál (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · it persona (person, especially as one among many) · ceb kalag (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · lo ວິນຍານ (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · ryu 魂 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · got 𐍃𐌰𐌹𐍅𐌰𐌻𐌰 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · oc anma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · es alma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · zh 魂魄 (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · bg со́ул (soul music) · mhr чон (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · sc ànima (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · alt кут (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · so naf (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · hi नफ़्स (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · wa åme (person, especially as one among many) · hi जान (person, especially as one among many) · el ψυχή (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · gl alma (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fy siel (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · de Seele (person, especially as one among many) · vot enči (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · fa رَوان (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · tl diwa (life, energy, vigour) · yi נפֿש (person, especially as one among many) · myv ойме (the spirit or essence of a person that is often believed to live on after the person's death) · pt alma (person, especially as one among many)
From Middle English soule, sowle, saule, sawle, from Old English sāwol (“soul, life, spirit, being”), from Proto-West Germanic *saiwalu, from Proto-Germanic *saiwalō (“soul”), of an uncertain ultimate origin (see there for further information).
Cognates
Cognate with Scots saul, sowel (“soul”), Saterland Frisian Seele (“soul”), West Frisian siel (“soul”), Alemannic German Seel (“soul”), Central Franconian Siel (“soul”), Dutch ziel (“soul”), German Seele (“soul”), German Low German Seel (“soul”), Luxembourgish Séil (“soul, spirit”), Vilamovian zejł, zəjł, zyił (“soul”), Gothic 𐍃𐌰𐌹𐍅𐌰𐌻𐌰 (saiwala, “soul”). Scandinavian homonyms seem to have been borrowed from Old Saxon sēola. Modern Danish sjæl (“soul”), Icelandic sál (“soul”), Norwegian Bokmål sjel (“soul”), Norwegian Nynorsk sjel, sål (“soul”), Swedish själ (“soul”), Finnish sielu (“soul”) may have come from Old English sāwol.
Meanings
(obsolete, transitive) To endow with a soul or mind.
To beg on All Soul's Day.
All Souls' Day was celebrated by souling, a custom going back to pre-Reformation days: soul cakers and mummers toured the village begging for a soul cake — a plain, round, flat cake seasoned with spices. 1981, Geoffrey Scard, Squire and tenant: life in rural Cheshire, 1760-1900, page 93:
During my Stay here, I was going to take Pot-Luck with Colonel Ingram, and accidentally meeting him in the Way, I told him I deſigned to ſoul a Plate with him, [...] 1741, unknown [formerly attributed to Daniel Defoe], The Life and Adventures of Mrs. Christian Davies, the British Amazon, commonly called Mother Ross: […], 2nd edition, London: Printed for R[ichard] Montagu, →OCLC, part II, page 76: