Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Spiritual

Spir′it-u-al

,
Adj.
[L.
spiritualis
: cf. F.
spirituel
. See
Spirit
.]
1.
Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal;
as, a
spiritual
substance or being
.
It is sown a natural body, it is raised a
spiritual
body.
1 Cor. xv. 44.
2.
Of or pertaining to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
3.
Of or pertaining to the moral feelings or states of the soul, as distinguished from the external actions; reaching and affecting the spirits.
God’s law is
spiritual
; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man.
Sir T. Browne.
4.
Of or pertaining to the soul or its affections as influenced by the Spirit; controlled and inspired by the divine Spirit; proceeding from the Holy Spirit; pure; holy; divine; heavenly-minded; – opposed to
carnal
.
That I may impart unto you some
spiritual
gift.
Rom. i. ll.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual
blessings.
Eph. i. 3.
If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual
, restore such an one.
Gal. vi. 1.
5.
Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical;
as, the
spiritual
functions of the clergy; lords
spiritual
and temporal; a
spiritual
corporation
.
Spiritual coadjuctor
.
(Eccl.)
See the Note under
Jesuit
.
Spiritual court
(Eccl. Law)
,
an ecclesiastical court, or a court having jurisdiction in ecclesiastical affairs; a court held by a bishop or other ecclesiastic.

Spir′it-u-al

,
Noun.
A spiritual function, office, or affair. See
Spirituality
, 2.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in
spirituals
, and to the emperor in temporals.
Lowell.

Webster 1828 Edition


Spiritual

SPIRITUAL

,
Adj.
1.
Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal; as a spiritual substance or being. The soul of man is spiritual.
2.
Mental; intellectual; as spiritual armor.
3.
Not gross; refined from external things; not sensual; relative to mind only; as a spiritual and refined religion.
4.
Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical; as the spiritual functions of the clergy; the lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation.
5.
Pertaining to spirit or to the affections; pure; holy.
Gods law is spiritual; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man.
6.
Pertaining to the renewed nature of man; as spiritual life.
7.
Not fleshly; not material; as spiritual sacrifices. 1 Peter 2.
8.
Pertaining to divine things; as spiritual songs. Ephesians 5.
Spiritual court, an ecclesiastical court; a court held by a bishop or other ecclesiastic.

Definition 2024


Spiritual

Spiritual

See also: spiritual and spirituál

English

Noun

Spiritual (plural Spirituals)

  1. (Christianity, historical) A member of a branch of the Franciscan order who advocated simple dress and renounced the owning of property.
    • 2007, Edwin Mullins, The Popes of Avignon, Blue Bridge 2008, p. 56:
      But in the years that followed, the cause of the Spirituals became championed by far more substantial figures within the church.

spiritual

spiritual

See also: Spiritual and spirituál

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

spiritual (comparative more spiritual, superlative most spiritual)

  1. Of or pertaining to the spirit or the soul.
    Respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice.
    • Sir Thomas Browne
      God's law is spiritual; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man.
  2. Of or pertaining to God or a place of worship; sacred.
  3. Of or pertaining to spirits; supernatural.
  4. Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal.
    a spiritual substance or being
    • Bible, 1. Corinthians xv. 44
      It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
  5. Of or relating to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
  6. (Christianity) Controlled and inspired by the Holy Spirit; pure; holy.
    • Bible, Gal. vi. 1
      If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one.
  7. Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical.
    the spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

spiritual (plural spirituals)

  1. A Christian religious song, especially one in an African-American style, or a similar non-religious song.
  2. Any spiritual function, office, or affair.
    He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals. Lowell.

Synonyms

  • folk song

Translations


Romanian

Etymology

From French spirituel

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /spirituˈal/

Adjective

spiritual m, n (feminine singular spirituală, masculine plural spirituali, feminine and neuter plural spirituale)

  1. spiritual

Declension

Synonyms