spirits

spir·it  (sprt)

n.

1.

a. The vital principle or animating force within living beings.

b. Incorporeal consciousness.

2. The soul, considered as departing from the body of a person at death.

3. Spirit The Holy Spirit.

4. A supernatural being, as:

a. An angel or a demon.

b. A being inhabiting or embodying a particular place, object, or natural phenomenon.

c. A fairy or sprite.

5.

a. The part of a human associated with the mind, will, and feelings: Though unable to join us today, they are with us in spirit.

b. The essential nature of a person or group.

6. A person as characterized by a stated quality: He is a proud spirit.

7.

a. An inclination or tendency of a specified kind: Her actions show a generous spirit.

b. A causative, activating, or essential principle: The couple's engagement was announced in a joyous spirit.

8. spirits A mood or an emotional state: The guests were in high spirits. His sour spirits put a damper on the gathering.

9. A particular mood or an emotional state characterized by vigor and animation: sang with spirit.

10. Strong loyalty or dedication: team spirit.

11. The predominant mood of an occasion or a period: "The spirit of 1776 is not dead" Thomas Jefferson.

12. The actual though unstated sense or significance of something: the spirit of the law.

13. An alcohol solution of an essential or volatile substance. Often used in the plural with a singular verb.

14. spirits An alcoholic beverage, especially distilled liquor.

tr.v. spir·it·ed, spir·it·ing, spir·its

1. To carry off mysteriously or secretly: The documents had been spirited away.

2. To impart courage, animation, or determination to; inspirit.

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[Middle English, from Old French espirit, from Latin spritus, breath, from sprre, to breathe.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

spirits - an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented booze, hard drink, hard liquor, John Barleycorn, liquor, strong drink alcohol, alcoholic beverage, alcoholic drink, inebriant, intoxicant - a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent; "alcohol (or drink) ruined him" aqua vitae, ardent spirits - strong distilled liquor or brandy akvavit, aquavit - Scandinavian liquor usually flavored with caraway seeds arak, arrack - any of various strong liquors distilled from the fermented sap of toddy palms or from fermented molasses bitters - alcoholic liquor flavored with bitter herbs and roots brandy - distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice gin - strong liquor flavored with juniper berries ouzo - a Greek liquor flavored with anise rum - liquor distilled from fermented molasses schnapps, schnaps - any of various strong liquors especially a Dutch spirit distilled from potatoes mescal - a colorless Mexican liquor distilled from fermented juices of certain desert plants of the genus Agavaceae (especially the century plant) tequila - Mexican liquor made from fermented juices of an agave plant vodka - unaged colorless liquor originating in Russia whiskey, whisky - a liquor made from fermented mash of grain firewater - any strong spirits (such as strong whisky or rum) lacing - a small amount of liquor added to a food or beverage