Spirit

The English word spirit (from Latin spiritus "breath") has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body. The word spirit is often used metaphysically to refer to the consciousness or personality. The notions of a person's spirit and soul often also overlap, as both contrast with body and both are understood as surviving the bodily death in religion and occultism, and "spirit" can also have the sense of "ghost", i.e. a manifestation of the spirit of a deceased person.

The term may also refer to any incorporeal or immaterial being, such as demons or deities, in Christianity specifically the Holy Spirit (though with a capital "S") experienced by the disciples at Pentecost.

Read more about Spirit:  Etymology, Metaphysical and Metaphorical Uses, Related Concepts in Other Languages

Famous quotes containing the word spirit:

    “...the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”
    —Bible: New Testament, 1 Corinthians 2:10.

    “I’ve almost gained my heav’nly home; My spirit loudly sings;
    The holy ones behold they come, I hear the noise of wings.
    O come, angel band, Come and around me stand.
    O bear me away on your snowy wings, To my immortal home.”
    —T. Haskell, minister and hymn-writer. Published in Christian Harmony. “Angel Band,” l. 5-8.

    “The spirit that I have seen
    May be the devil, and the devil hath power
    T’assume a pleasing shape.”
    —William Shakespeare (1564–1616)