"of or concerning the spirit" (especially in religious aspects), 1303, from O.Fr. spirituel (12c.), from L. spiritualis, from spiritus "of breathing, of the spirit" (see spirit). Meaning "of or concerning the church" is attested from 1338. The noun sense of "African-American religious song" first recorded 1866. Spirituality (1417) is from M.Fr. spiritualite, from L.L. spiritualitatem (nom. spiritualitas), from L. spiritualis). An earlier form was spiritualty (1377).
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church; "religious texts"; "a member of a religious order"; "lords temporal and spiritual"; "spiritual leaders"; "spiritual songs" [syn: religious]
2.
concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul; "a spiritual approach to life"; "spiritual fulfillment"; "spiritual values"; "unearthly love"
3.
lacking material body or form or substance; "spiritual beings"; "the vital transcendental soul belonging to the spiritual realm"-Lewis Mumford
4.
resembling or characteristic of a phantom; "a ghostly face at the window"; "a phantasmal presence in the room"; "spectral emanations"; "spiritual tappings at a seance" [syn: apparitional]
noun
1.
a kind of religious song originated by Blacks in the southern United States
Cor*po"re*al\ (k[^o]r*p[=o]"r[-e]*al), a. [L. corporeus, fr. corpus body.] Having a body; consisting of, or pertaining to, a material body or substance; material; -- opposed to spiritual or immaterial. His omnipotence That to corporeal substance could add Speed almost spiritual. --Milton. Corporeal property, such as may be seen and handled (as opposed to incorporeal, which can not be seen or handled, and exists only in contemplation). --Mozley & W. Syn: Corporal; bodily. See Corporal.
Spir"it*u*al\, a. [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.
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Audio Help [spir-i-choo-uh
