English word spirit comes from Proto-Indo-European *speis-, Proto-Indo-European *(s)peys-, and later Old French (842-ca. 1400) espirit (Spirit (soul; essence of a being).)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *speis- | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | to blow |
| *(s)peys- | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | to blow, breathe |
| spirare | Latin (lat) | |
| spiritus | Latin (lat) | Breath, breathing. Energy. Light breeze. Pride, arrogance. Spirit, ghost. |
| espirit | Old French (842-ca. 1400) (fro) | Spirit (soul; essence of a being). |
| spirit | Middle English (1100-1500) (enm) | |
| spirit | English (en) | (alchemy, obsolete) Any of the four substances: sulphur, sal ammoniac, quicksilver, and arsenic (or, according to some, orpiment).. (dyeing) stannic chloride. (obsolete) A rough breathing; an aspirate, such as the letter h; also, a mark denoting aspiration.. (obsolete) Air set in motion by breathing; breath; hence, sometimes, life itself.. (usually, in the plural) A volatile liquid, such as [...] |