spiritful en · ADJ
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 Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₁nós Proto-Germanic *fullaz Proto-Germanic *-fullaz Old English -ful Middle English -ful English -ful English spiritful From spirit + -ful.
Meanings
-
(archaic) Full of spirit; spirited.
Miss Howe is a charming creature too; but confoundedly smart, and spiritful.
1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CIV”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most spiritful | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more spiritful | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic |