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Spirits Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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spirits

[หˆspษชrษชts ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

alcoholic beverages

Spirits refer to distilled alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey, vodka, rum, and gin. They are typically stronger in alcohol content compared to other types of alcoholic drinks.

Synonyms

alcohol, distilled drinks, liquor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
spirits

Often used in a general sense to refer to strong alcoholic beverages. It can also be used to describe the mood or morale in idiomatic expressions.

  • He enjoys different kinds of spirits in his collection.
  • She was in high spirits after hearing the good news.
liquor

Commonly used to refer to strong alcoholic drinks. It sometimes carries a casual or slightly negative connotation depending on the context.

  • He grabbed a bottle of liquor from the store.
  • She doesn't like the taste of strong liquor.
alcohol

A broad term for beverages containing ethanol. It is commonly used in scientific contexts and everyday language to refer to any drink containing alcohol.

  • Consuming too much alcohol can be harmful to your health.
  • The sale of alcohol is restricted to people over 18.
distilled drinks

Specifically refers to alcoholic beverages that have been purified through distillation, including vodka, whiskey, and rum. It's a more technical term.

  • Distilled drinks like whiskey and vodka are popular at bars.
  • The process of making distilled drinks involves heating and cooling.

Examples of usage

  • He ordered a shot of spirits at the bar.
  • She enjoys mixing cocktails with various spirits.
Context #2 | Noun

supernatural beings

Spirits are supernatural beings or entities, often believed to exist beyond the physical realm. They can be ghosts, specters, or other ethereal entities.

Synonyms

apparitions, ghosts, phantoms.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
spirits

Generally used in a broad sense to describe supernatural beings or ethereal entities. Often used in religious or philosophical discussions.

  • Many cultures believe that spirits of ancestors watch over their descendants.
  • The forest was said to be home to numerous spirits.
ghosts

Commonly used to describe the soul or spirit of a dead person that appears to the living. Often associated with haunting.

  • The old mansion is said to be haunted by ghosts.
  • He told a scary story about ghosts appearing at midnight.
apparitions

Usually refers to the sudden appearance of a ghost or ghost-like figure. Often used in the context of eerie or mysterious sightings.

  • She claimed to have seen apparitions in the old house.
  • The strange apparition disappeared as quickly as it had come.
phantoms

Typically refers to something that is not real or is a figment of the imagination. Often used in a literary or artistic context.

  • He chased phantoms that only existed in his mind.
  • The phantom figure vanished as soon as the lights were turned on.

Examples of usage

  • The old house was said to be haunted by malevolent spirits.
  • Some cultures believe in ancestral spirits watching over them.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Beliefs

  • Many cultures believe in guardian spirits that look out for people, often protecting them from harm.
  • Certain traditions involve communicating with spirits during rituals to seek guidance or wisdom.
  • In some religions, spirits are seen as the souls of the departed, often inviting stories of life after death.

Historical Origins

  • The use of spirits in alcohol dates back at least to the 9th century in Persia, where distillation methods were first developed.
  • The word 'spirit' comes from the Latin 'spiritus', which means breath or soul, reflecting the essence of life.
  • Distilled beverages became known as 'spirits' because they were thought to contain the essence or 'spirit' of the ingredients used.

Literature and Folklore

  • Spirits feature prominently in literature, with famous examples like Shakespeareโ€™s โ€˜Ghost of Hamletโ€™ and Marley in 'A Christmas Carol'.
  • Folktales around the world often include spirits as key figures, teaching moral lessons or providing supernatural help to protagonists.
  • In Native American mythology, spirits play critical roles in creation stories and are central to many cultural ceremonies.

Psychology

  • In psychological terms, spirits can reflect one's emotions or mental states, often symbolizing aspects of the self.
  • The belief in spirits can offer comfort to people, providing a sense of connection to something beyond the physical world.
  • Research suggests that people who believe in spirits or an afterlife can experience reduced anxiety about death.

Pop Culture

  • Movies like 'Ghostbusters' and 'The Sixth Sense' explore themes of spirits, offering thrilling stories of the supernatural.
  • Video games often feature spirits as characters, allowing players to interact with them in imaginative ways.
  • Spirits are a popular topic in reality TV shows, where participants explore haunted locations seeking contact with the spirit world.

Origin of 'spirits'

The word 'spirits' originated from the Latin 'spiritus' meaning breath, spirit, or soul. In ancient times, the term was associated with the idea of a non-physical entity or essence. Over time, it came to encompass both the alcoholic beverages produced through distillation and the supernatural entities believed to exist. The dual meaning reflects the diverse cultural beliefs and practices surrounding spirits.

See also: dispiritedly, dispiriting, spirited, spiritedness, spiritlessly, spiritual, spiritualist, spirituality, spiritualize, spiritually.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,282, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.