spirit en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈspɪɹɪt/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /ˈspiɹɪt/ (US)
- /ˈspɪɾɪt/ (Scotland, Wales)
- (US) audio
- /ˈspɪɹɪt/ (US)
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)peys-der.? Latin spīrō Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Italic *-tus Latin -tus Latin spīritus Old French espiritbor. Middle English spirit English spirit From Middle English spirit, from Old French espirit (“spirit”), from Latin spīritus (“breath; spirit”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peys- (“to blow, breathe”). Compare inspire, respire, transpire, all ultimately from Latin spīrō (“to breathe, blow, respire”). In this sense, displaced native Middle English gast (from Old English gāst), whence modern English ghost. Doublet of spiritus, spirytus, sprite, spright, and esprit.
Meanings
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(countable, uncountable) The soul of a person or other creature.
[…] a triumph of the spirit over the flesh.
1967, MacCormack, Woman Times Seven:I don't understand these people who call themselves spiritual advisors. Franklin Graham, the unfortunate son of Billy Graham, is George Bush's spiritual advisor. Bill Clinton had Jesse Jackson. Here's the part I don't understand: How can someone else advise you on your spirit? Isn't spirit an intensely personal, internal thing? Doesn't it, by its very nature, elude definition, much less analysis? What kind of advice could some drone who has devoted his life to the self-deception of religion possibly give you about your spirit? It sounds like a hustle to me.
2004, George Carlin, “THAT'S THE SPIRIT”, in When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?, New York: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, →OL, page 20:[…] St. Bede's at this period of its history was perhaps the poorest and most miserable parish in the East End of London. Close-packed, crushed by the buttressed height of the railway viaduct, rendered airless by huge walls of factories, it at once banished lively interest from a stranger's mind and left only a dull oppression of the spirit.
1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter VII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:Turians believe that groups and areas have "spirits" that transcend the individual. For example, a military unit would be considered to have a literal spirit that embodies the honor and courage it has displayed. A city's spirit reflects the accomplishments and industry of its residents. An ancient tree's spirit reflects the beauty and tranquility of the area it grows within. These spirits are neither good nor evil, nor are they appealed to for intercession. Turians do not believe spirits can affect the world, but spirits can inspire the living. Prayers and rituals allow an individual to converse with a spirit for guidance or inspiration. For example a turian who finds his loyalty tested may appeal to the spirit of his unit, hoping to reconnect with the pride and honor of the group. A turian who wishes to create a work of art may attempt to connect with the spirit of a beautiful location.
2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Turians: Religion Codex entry:
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(countable, uncountable) A supernatural being, often but not exclusively without physical form; ghost, fairy, angel.
Walk slowly with a spirit by your side.
2009, Alexander Perls, “With a Spirit” (track 10), in 009 Sound System, performed by Alexander Perls:An unusual custom is followed at Llangennith, when shotguns are fired at a wedding - to scare off evil spirits from the newlyweds.
1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 258:He has seen spirits roam the house.
Whilst young, preserve his tender mind from all impressions and notions of spirits and goblins[…] in the dark.
1693, John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning Education:A wandering spirit haunts the island.
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(countable, uncountable) A feeling of passion. ▸ Enthusiasm.
School spirit is at an all-time high.
The result may not quite give the Wearsiders a sweet ending to what has been a sour week, following allegations of sexual assault and drug possession against defender Titus Bramble, but it does at least demonstrate that their spirit remains strong in the face of adversity.
2011 October 1, Phil Dawkes, “Sunderland 2-2 West Brom”, in BBC Sport:
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(countable, uncountable) A feeling of passion. ▸ Energy; ardour.
"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.
1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=I to XI):
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(countable, uncountable) The manner or style of something.
In the spirit of forgiveness, we didn't press charges.
A perfect judge will read each work of wit / With the same spirit that its author writ.
1711 May, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Criticism, London: […] W[illiam] Lewis […]; and sold by W[illiam] Taylor […], T[homas] Osborn[e] […], and J[ohn] Graves […], →OCLC: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:
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(countable, uncountable) Intent; real meaning; opposed to the letter, or formal statement.
the spirit of an enterprise, or of a document
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(countable, plural-normally, uncountable) A volatile liquid, such as alcohol. The plural form spirits is a generic term for distilled alcoholic beverages.
Another pair of terms which caused some confusion were Spirit of Saturn and Spirit of Venus, names suggesting compounds of lead and copper respectively. Jean Beguin described the preparation from minium and distilled vinegar of a liquid he called burning spirit of Saturn, because it was inflammable and he thought it was a compound of lead. Actually the lead takes no part in the reaction and the product of distilling lead acetate is impure acetone. Beguin’s terminology did not go without comment however, for Christopher Glaser later referred to ‘A burning Spirit of Saturn (as it is called) but rather, a Spirit of the Volatile Salt of Vinegar’. Tachenius referred to the product of distillation of copper acetate as ‘pretended spirit of Venus’ because it was really only distilled vinegar - the meaning which Macquer gave to the expression. It is typical of the confusion of terminology in early chemistry that the London Pharmacopoeia of 1721 gave the name Spiritus Veneris to sulphuric acid obtained by the distillation of copper sulphate.
2004, Maurice P. Crosland, Historical Studies in the Language of Chemistry, page 89:CRYSTALS of Venus or of copper, called also vitriol of Venus, is copper reduced into the form of vitriol by spirit of nitre, or by dissolving verdegris in good distilled vinegar, till the acid be saturated; it is very caustic and used to eat off proud flesh. It is also used by painters, and manufacturers, and sold under the name of distilled vinegar. See CHEMISTRY.
1807, A New and Complete Encyclopaedia; or, Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences: Vol III, page 48:
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(countable, uncountable) One who is vivacious or lively; one who evinces great activity or peculiar characteristics of mind or temper.
Such spirits as he desired to please, such would I choose for my judges.
1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:a ruling spirit; a schismatic spirit
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(countable, in-plural, often, uncountable) Temper or disposition of mind; mental condition or disposition; intellectual or moral state.
to be cheerful, or in good spirits; to be down-hearted, or in bad spirits
God has […] made a spirit of building succeed a spirit of pulling down.
1667, Robert South, Sermon VII:
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(countable, obsolete, uncountable) Air set in motion by breathing; breath; hence, sometimes, life itself.
For else he sure had left not one aliue,>br>But all in his reuenge of spirite would depriue.
1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book V, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 36:But the milde air with season moderate / Gently attempred, and disposd so well, / That still it breathed forth sweet spirit & holesome smell.
1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto XII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 51:
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(countable, obsolete, uncountable) A rough breathing; an aspirate, such as the letter h; also, a mark denoting aspiration.
Be it a letter or spirit, we have great use of it.
1640, Ben Jonson, The English Grammar:
- (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Any of the four substances: sulphur, sal ammoniac, quicksilver, and arsenic (or, according to some, orpiment).
- (countable, uncountable) Stannic chloride.
- (countable, qualifier:Hegelian, uncountable) The essence behind historical development of both individual and society evolving towards the Absolute.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| spir't | Early, Modern, alternative | lexicographic | |
| spirits | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
spirit moose · time spirit · spirit of salt · spiritmonger · surgical spirit · unspirit · high spirits · spirit board · up spirits · master spirit · spiritual · neutral grain spirit · zombie spirit · spiritless · spirity · spirit lamp · Spirit of the Lord · dispirit · spiriter · spirit bear · spirit writing · grape neutral spirit · free spirit · methylated spirits · Spiritist · raise someone's spirits · team spirit · spirit child · the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak · spiritize · sweet spirits of nitre · spirit of Mindererus · Corinthian spirit · shad-spirit · wood spirit · out of spirits · spirit-man · industrial methylated spirit · spirit fingers · spiritman · spirit duck · proof spirit · spirit cabinet · spirit doctor · spiritness · spirit tablet · spirit week · low spirits · Dunkirk spirit · two-spirit · rectified spirit · Great Spirit · public spirit · ancestor spirit · spiritistic · neutral spirit · spiritous · witchspirit · Spiritism · spirit photography · spirit communication · in good spirits · spirit money · driving spirit · spirit duplicator · spirit-filled · dulcified spirit · perispirit · house spirit · spirit rapper · spirit of the law · petroleum spirit · spirit blue · spirit marriage · pyroacetic spirit · spiritship · spirit world · knocking spirit · spirit vinegar · community spirit · spirited · Spirit of Truth · methylated spirit · grain spirit · astral spirit · respirit · kampung spirit · spiritling · spirit of vitriol · rice-spirit · spirit level · spirit stove · spirit path · in spirit · spiritish · spiriten · spirit house · in the spirit it was meant · the spirit moves someone · spiritweed · spiritly · spirit photographer · spirit molecule · kampong spirit · spirit trumpet · poor in spirit · fighting spirit · that's the spirit · despirit · spirit of box · the spirit moves one · lift someone's spirits · spiritwise · spirits of hartshorn · spirit-room · spirit way · party spirit · kindred spirit · spirit rapping · spirit of hartshorn · mineral spirits · spiritic · motor spirit · nonspirit · spiritism · Spirit of Verity · white spirit · spirit animal · spirit gum · Spirit Lake · spirithood · spiritdom · spirits of salts · grain neutral spirit · spirit of turpentine · Spirit of Light · spirit man · spirituality · good spirits · spiritist · spirit road · spiritlike · spirit of nitre · spiritually · spirit-stand · spirits of salt · pyroxylic spirit · Holy Spirit · spirit master · moving spirit · spiritsome · Aloha Spirit · two spirit · spirit of wine · spiritful · spirits of wine · spiritess · neutral grape spirit
Hypernyms
entity · alcoholic beverage · being · creature
Hyponyms
sprite · lemures · shadow · fairy · absinthe · familiar · satyr · pixy · guardian angel · ifrit · ouphe · Puck · penates · brownie · fae · rum · elf · imp · pooka · tequila · schnapps · absinth · genie · whisky · brandy · Lares · genius · revenant · gnome · pixie · god · genius locorum · will o' the wisp · genius familiae · daemon · demon · shade · ghost · pigwidgeon · daimon · genius loci · nymph · angel · banshee · faun · bucca · gin · vodka · scotch · manitou · wraith · genius hominis · jinn · whiskey
Relateds
soul · :Category:en:Distilled beverages · ghost
Synonyms
liqueur · vision · spirit · liquor · apparition · specter
Translations (420)
is andi (soul) · cmn 精神 (enthusiasm) · ast espíritu (supernatural being) · bg дух (supernatural being) · ru дух (enthusiasm) · yi גײַסט (soul) · et piiritus (alcohol) · da ånd (manner or style) · ja 酒 (alcohol) · ang gāst (soul) · ota روح (soul) · tr ruh (soul) · mi wairua (soul) · de Geist (soul) · ln molimo (soul) · fa-ira اَلْکُل (alcohol) · izh henki (soul) · sq shpirt (soul) · be дух (manner or style) · ro spirit (soul) · gd aigne (soul) · srn yeye (soul) · ln elimo (soul) · es espíritu (soul) · hu szeszes ital (alcohol) · bg спирт (alcohol) · ga sprid (supernatural being) · hu szellem (supernatural being) · hi अदृश्य (supernatural being) · tl multo (supernatural being) · mi apa (supernatural being) · so ruux (soul) · tl batlaya (soul) · fi sprii (alcohol) · sh duh (enthusiasm) · txb mot (alcohol) · pl dusza (soul) · bg дух (manner or style) · pl alkohol (alcohol) · chk ngun (soul) · ast espíritu (enthusiasm) · nl geest (supernatural being) · fa-ira روح (soul) · vec spirito (soul) · lo ວິນຍານ (soul) · id semangat (enthusiasm) · lb Séil (soul) · ko 넋 (soul) · te వ్యక్తిత్వము (manner or style) · sv ande (supernatural being) · alt кут (soul) · oj manidoo (supernatural being) · mi aparangi (supernatural being) · hi प्राण (soul) · vi rượu (alcohol) · et vaim (supernatural being) · kk рух (soul) · uk дух (soul) · sw roho (soul) · uk спирт (alcohol) · pl duch (manner or style) · tk ruh (soul) · la tēmētum (alcohol) · got 𐌰𐌷𐌼𐌰 (soul) · ps روح (soul) · fa-ira مینو (supernatural being) · nb kjerne (soul) · la spīritus (enthusiasm) · el πνεύμα (supernatural being) · tr tin (supernatural being) · fr spiritueux (alcohol) · ja 精神 (soul) · sc ispìritu (soul) · ga alcól (alcohol) · sl duša (soul) · be душа́ (soul) · de Stimmung (manner or style) · arc רוּחָא (soul) · ro tărie (alcohol) · fi henki (supernatural being) · ro spirit (enthusiasm) · tr ruh (enthusiasm) · pl duch (enthusiasm) · nn sprit (alcohol) · gd taibhse (supernatural being) · km ព្រលឹង (soul) · de Sprit (alcohol) · cy gwirod (alcohol) · la animus (soul) · sv sprit (alcohol) · mt ruħ (soul) · fur spirt (soul) · ba эйә (soul) · fi pirtu (alcohol) · uz ruh (soul) · acw روح (soul) · pt espírito (soul) · gag ruh (soul) · ur آتْما (soul) · ia spirito (soul) · nb sjel (soul) · ru душа́ (soul) · ky рух (soul) · ja アルコール (alcohol) · prs رُوح (soul) · mww dab (soul) · ms roh (soul) · sh duh (manner or style) · it spirito (soul) · mi apahau (supernatural being) · srn kra (soul) · cu духъ (soul) · st moya (soul) · cs zápal (enthusiasm) · sh àlkohol (alcohol) · uk при́вид (supernatural being) · es pneuma (soul) · hu kedv (enthusiasm) · be пры́від (supernatural being) · grc φρόνημα (soul) · et hing (soul) · srn sili (soul) · ko 굿것 (supernatural being) · tr ruh (supernatural being) · ru дух (manner or style) · bni molimo (soul) · hu szellem (enthusiasm) · ru дух (soul) · he סְפִּירְט (alcohol) · fa-ira رَوَان (soul) · srn winti (supernatural being) · nb sprit (alcohol) · grc πνεῦμα (soul) · lt spiritas (alcohol) · lt šmėkla (soul) · sh душа (soul) · lv dvēsele (soul) · bg дух (soul) · da ånd (supernatural being) · kyh ikxaréeyav (supernatural being) · ka სული (supernatural being) · mk дух (soul) · sv ande (soul) · nl geest (soul) · ru воодушевле́ние (enthusiasm) · sl duh (manner or style) · ms semangat (enthusiasm) · es alcohol (alcohol) · it spirito (alcohol) · cmn 精靈 /精灵 (supernatural being) · gu આત્મા (soul) · hi स्वभाव (manner or style) · id jiwa (soul) · sh ду̏х (soul) · hi आत्मा (soul) · ru алкого́ль (alcohol) · br spered (soul) · da alkohol (alcohol) · ko 증류주 (alcohol) · syc ܪܘܚܐ (supernatural being) · alt тын (soul) · ar رُوح (soul) · alt ээ (soul) · pt jeito (manner or style) · gd spiorad (enthusiasm) · sl duh (supernatural being) · gd spailp (enthusiasm) · sk duch (soul) · sv vålnad (supernatural being) · cs duch (soul) · hu lélek (soul) · wyi naRun (soul) · gl esprito (soul) · kmr ruh (soul) · sk duch (manner or style) · nv níłchʼi (supernatural being) · mk душа (soul) · zu umoya (soul) · te గుండె ధైర్యము (soul) · ro duh (supernatural being) · sh ду̏х (supernatural being) · ar رُوَح (supernatural being) · gd anam (soul) · ka სული (enthusiasm) · ang gāst (supernatural being) · lld spirt (soul) · otk 𐱅𐰃𐰤 (soul) · it spirito (supernatural being) · izh henki (supernatural being) · es espíritu (enthusiasm) · arz روح (soul) · be дух (supernatural being) · sw pepo (supernatural being) · nmn ǃnáã-sé (soul) · es espíritu (supernatural being) · tr ispirto (alcohol) · ko 정령 (supernatural being) · tl diwa (soul) · fi alkoholi (alcohol) · ru спирт (alcohol) · sk duch (supernatural being) · el πνεύμα (manner or style) · sq hije (supernatural being) · ko 기풍 (enthusiasm) · ro spirit (manner or style) · mi tiramākā (supernatural being) · la animus (manner or style) · bg душа́ (soul) · da sprit (alcohol) · ja 精霊 (supernatural being) · sv anda (manner or style) · ko 정신 (soul) · uk душа́ (soul) · la ebriamen (alcohol) · sw spiriti (alcohol) · cmn 妖怪 (supernatural being) · it spirito (manner or style) · osx gēst (soul) · ka სული (soul) · ru хара́ктер (manner or style) · syc ܪܘܚܐ (soul) · izh pirttu (alcohol) · da mod (enthusiasm) · tr tin (soul) · ssy rooxe (soul) · el πνεύμα (soul) · fr esprit (supernatural being) · da ånd (soul) · ltg gors (soul) · ka სპირტი (alcohol) · my ဝိညာဉ် (soul) · fi henki (manner or style) · pt espírito (supernatural being) · oc esperit (soul) · fi henki (soul) · eo alkoholaĵo (alcohol) · ug روھ (soul) · gl espírito (supernatural being) · sl duh (enthusiasm) · os уд (soul) · ast espíritu (soul) · mn сүнс (soul) · fr esprit (soul) · hi रूह (soul) · swb djini (supernatural being) · he רוּחַ (soul) · cs duch (manner or style) · arz روح (supernatural being) · wyi murup (soul) · chy mȧhta'sóoma (soul) · hu szellem (soul) · gag ruh (supernatural being) · ltg dvēsele (soul) · hi भूत (supernatural being) · uk алкого́ль (alcohol) · ur رُوح (soul) · af spiritus (alcohol) · hi साहस (enthusiasm) · ko 알코올 (alcohol) · la genius (supernatural being) · hy հոգի (soul) · cs duše (soul) · bho आत्मा (soul) · sk duša (soul) · bg привиде́ние (supernatural being) · be алкаго́ль (alcohol) · sq avë (soul) · gd spiorad (alcohol) · gd meanmna (enthusiasm) · ru дух (supernatural being) · aa rooci (soul) · fr esprit (manner or style) · da liv (enthusiasm) · lo ຈິດ (soul) · bn রূহ (soul) · ms semangat (soul) · mi ngingongingo (supernatural being) · uk хара́ктер (manner or style) · sh dȕh (soul) · cs nadšení (enthusiasm) · ro suflet (soul) · fi henki (enthusiasm) · mhr ӧрт (soul) · mi wairua (supernatural being) · bg хара́ктер (manner or style) · id roh (soul) · fr élan (manner or style) · gd spiorad (supernatural being) · es luá (supernatural being) · de Alkohol (alcohol) · da spiritus (alcohol) · af gees (soul) · be дух (soul) · ar كُحُول (alcohol) · fi henkiolento (supernatural being) · yag kašpíx (soul) · yi רוח (soul) · iba ayu (enthusiasm) · es alma (soul) · bg въодушевле́ние (enthusiasm) · pl spirytus (alcohol) · tr tin (enthusiasm) · sq ama (soul) · az ruh (soul) · pt álcool (alcohol) · cs duch (supernatural being) · ru привиде́ние (supernatural being) · nmn ǃnáã (soul) · la spīritus (soul) · cu доуша (soul) · ro duh (soul) · te అత్యుత్సాహవంతుడు (supernatural being) · sh dȕh (supernatural being) · la alcohol (alcohol) · hi प्रेत (supernatural being) · uk дух (manner or style) · ba рух (enthusiasm) · cs líh (alcohol) · hy սպիրտ (alcohol) · tg рӯҳ (soul) · pl duch (supernatural being) · chy séo'ȯtse (soul) · el οινόπνευμα (alcohol) · sl duh (soul) · sh ду̏х (enthusiasm) · lg omwoyo (soul) · sh duša (soul) · sh ду̏х (manner or style) · hu alkohol (alcohol) · la animus (supernatural being) · be спірт (alcohol) · es bebida espirituosa (alcohol) · mnc ᡶᠠᠶᠠᠩᡤᠠ (supernatural being) · gd sgàile (supernatural being) · fi haamu (supernatural being) · hi मद्य (alcohol) · th จิตวิญญาณ (soul) · th วิญญาณ (soul) · lt dvasia (soul) · tl espiritu (soul) · bg алкохо́л (alcohol) · sl špirit (alcohol) · fr moral (enthusiasm) · fi viina (alcohol) · arc רוּחָא (supernatural being) · ko 요괴 (supernatural being) · pl duch (soul) · ccc sana'ne (soul) · et viin (alcohol) · tl espiritu (supernatural being) · ca esperit (supernatural being) · grc ἐκθυμία (enthusiasm) · te కుతూహలము (enthusiasm) · gd misneachd (enthusiasm) · fr esprit (enthusiasm) · de Geist (supernatural being) · da kraft (enthusiasm) · lv gars (soul) · af gees (supernatural being) · es onda (manner or style) · mi ate (enthusiasm) · ba әруах (supernatural being) · cmn 酒 (alcohol) · ms semangat (supernatural being) · ko 열정 (enthusiasm) · tli yéik (supernatural being) · vi hồn (soul) · sv alkohol (alcohol) · cs verva (enthusiasm) · ga sprid (enthusiasm) · gd spiorad (soul) · goh geist (soul) · th จิต (soul) · sga spirut (supernatural being) · gd tannasg (supernatural being) · la animus (enthusiasm) · prs مِینو (supernatural being) · sv anda (enthusiasm) · gl espírito (soul) · mi apahau (soul) · ca esperit (soul) · sh а̀лкохол (alcohol) · cy ysbryd (soul) · af gees (enthusiasm) · fi tapa (manner or style) · uk дух (supernatural being) · gd smior (enthusiasm) · ko 주정 (alcohol) · eo spirito (supernatural being) · scn spìritu (soul) · cmn 神采 (enthusiasm) · id ruh (supernatural being) · ny mzimu (supernatural being) · vi tinh linh (supernatural being) · mi apa (supernatural being) · he רוּחַ (supernatural being) · cmn 靈魂 /灵魂 (soul) · it spirito (enthusiasm) · gag duh (soul) · ko 귀신 (supernatural being) · ko 유령 (supernatural being) · la spīritus (supernatural being) · fy geast (soul) · qu nuna (soul) · ba рух (soul) · cy ysbryd (supernatural being) · goh ferah (soul) · pt ânimo (enthusiasm) · mnc ᡥᡠᡨᡠ (supernatural being) · ja 妖怪 (supernatural being) · sga spirut (soul) · lt degtinė (alcohol) · prs رَوَان (soul) · ko 얼 (soul) · eo spirito (soul) · lb Geescht (soul) · tl kaluluwa (soul) · sw roho (supernatural being) · grc φάσμα (supernatural being) · de Schnaps (alcohol)