spirits
spirits Lexical Profile
spirits Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person's state of mind, mood, or emotional attitude, especially regarding cheerfulness or despondency.
"Despite the rainy weather, the hikers remained in high spirits throughout the afternoon."
Strong distilled alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey, gin, rum, or vodka, as distinguished from fermented drinks like wine and beer.
"The restaurant holds a license to serve beer and wine, but not distilled spirits."
Supernatural, incorporeal beings, such as ghosts, souls of the deceased, fairies, or deities.
"Ancient folklore describes benevolent forest spirits that protect travelers from losing their way."
Volatile liquids obtained by distillation or solution in alcohol, used in pharmacy, chemistry, or industry.
"The artist used mineral spirits to thin the oil paint and clean the brushes."
• verb
To convey or carry off rapidly, secretly, or mysteriously (third-person singular simple present of spirit, usually followed by 'away' or 'off').
"In the opening chapter, a mysterious benefactor spirits the orphan away to a country estate."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'spirit' is a regular countable noun, the plural form 'spirits' functions as a distinct pluralia tantum noun when referring to a person's emotional mood (e.g., 'in high spirits') or to strong distilled alcoholic beverages.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Old French esperit and Latin spiritus ('breath, courage, vigor, soul'), related to spirare ('to breathe'). The sense of distilled alcoholic liquor arose from medieval alchemical usage referring to the volatile essence extracted by distillation.