spirit

spir|it1 [ `spırıt ] noun ***

▸ 1 attitude

▸ 2 general/real meaning

▸ 3 non-physical part of someone

▸ 4 imaginary creature

▸ 5 alcoholic drink/alcohol

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) count or uncount your attitude to life or to other people:

Compassion is only one aspect of the human spirit.

an adventurous/creative/independent spirit

a ) spirits plural your mood or attitude:

She tried singing to keep her spirits up.

lift/raise someone's spirits: The bad weather did nothing to lift her spirits.

high/good spirits: Dad's in high spirits today, isn't he?

b ) singular the attitude of people in a group:

a spirit of cooperation

You become aware of a powerful community spirit.

c ) uncount an enthusiastic or determined attitude:

She was admired for her spirit and passion.

2. ) uncount the general or real meaning of something:

Each country should honor the spirit of the treaty.

the spirit behind the words the author has written

=> LETTER1

3. ) count the part of a person that many people believe continues to exist after death:

His spirit will always be with us.

a ) a dead person who comes back into the world: SOUL

4. ) count an imaginary creature with special powers:

evil spirits

5. ) count usually plural FORMAL a strong alcoholic drink such as WHISKEY or BRANDY

a ) uncount alcohol used as a fuel or used by doctors for making things very clean

enter/get into the spirit of something

to take part in something with enthusiasm

if/when/as the spirit moves you

used for saying that someone does something when they want to, rather than when they think they should:

At these meetings, people stand up and speak as the spirit moves them.

in spirit

not physically in a place or situation but thinking about the people who are there and wishing you were there

that's the spirit SPOKEN

used for telling someone they are doing something well, or they are doing the right thing

the spirit is willing (but the flesh is weak) MAINLY SPOKEN

used for telling someone that you would like to do something but do not have the energy or strength to do it

the spirit of the law

the real meaning or intention of a law, even if the way it is written does not express this:

The lawyers have violated the spirit, if not the letter, of the law.

the spirit of the times/age

the ideas, beliefs, and style of a particular period of time

spirit

spir|it 2 [ `spırıt ] verb transitive

to take someone or something away suddenly but without being noticed:

Protesters were spirited away before they could cause a disruption.