a. [f. SPIRIT sb.]
In addition to its uses as a simple word, spiritea also occurs as the second element in a large number of combs., as bold-, cold-, high-, humble-, low-, mean-, meek-, narrow-, poor-, public-spirited, etc., which are dealt with under the first element or as main words.
† 1. Impregnated with spirit or active properties.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., V. iv. Pure benjamin, the onely spirited sent, that ever awak’d a neapolitane nostrill.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 50. Which perhaps must not be taken strictly, but in the germe and spirited particles.
1677. Miége, Fr. Dict., II. s.v. Sparkle, To Sparkle as spirited wine nimbly filled out.
2. Of persons: Full of spirit or animation; of a lively and energetic disposition; prompt to act, or to assert oneself, in a worthy manner.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., IV. i. This tire (me thinkes) makes me looke very ingeniously, quick, and spirited. Ibid., V. iv. O brave and spirited! Hee’s a right Jovialist.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 294. So generous, spirited, and grateful a person.
1748. Anson’s Voy., II. vi. 193. The shouts … of threescore sailors…, joyous as they always are, when they land…; the huzza’s, I say, of this spirited detachment.
1780. Mirror, No. 102. Nor is the ambition of those spirited ladies satisfied with speaking in public.
1828. D’Israeli, Chas. I., II. x. 245. The spirited servant on whom the hope of his glory rested.
1852. Miss Yonge, Cameos, II. viii. 101. The French … had always been forced back by the spirited little garrison.
1895. G. Meredith, Amazing Marriage, I. i. 4. He wealthy and rather handsome, and she quite lovely and spirited.
b. Energetic or enterprising in the pursuit of some study or business.
1769. Junius Lett., ii. (1788), 41. A most spirited as well as excellent scholar.
1799. A. Young, Agric. Linc., 74. A very spirited and active farmer.
1847. W. C. L. Martin, The Ox, 82/1. The improvement in the short-horns … under the superintendence of spirited individuals.
c. Of animals, esp. horses: Full of animation and vigor; mettlesome.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist., II. 362. The Persian horses … are docile, spirited, nimble, hardy, courageous [etc.].
1828. Lytton, Pelham, II. viii. 69. I saw a groom managing, with difficulty, a remarkably fine and spirited horse.
1846. J. Baxter, Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4), II. 217. The cock … should be brisk, spirited, and attentive … in defending the hens.
1869. Tozer, Highl. Turkey, II. 319. A man … seated on a spirited charger.
1871. Blackie, Four Phases Morals, i. 7. Men who wish to learn to ride do not choose the meekest and most docile beast that they can find, but the most spirited.
3. Of things: Characterized by, displaying, or suggestive of spirit, animation, vigor or energy:
a. Of literary work, speech, etc.
1715. Pope, Iliad, Pref. ¶ 35. The most noble and spirited translation I know in any language.
1768. in Priv. Lett. Ld. Malmesbury (1870), I. 165. Some very spirited expressions flung out in our King’s speech.
1797. Jane Austen, Sense & Sens., xxxvii. A very spirited critique upon the party.
1835. T. Mitchell, Acharn. of Aristoph., 463, note. A spirited version of this chorus … appeared in an early number of a monthly publication.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. v. 378. To which summons the Earl returns a spirited reply.
b. Of action, conduct, etc.
1765. in Priv. Lett. Ld. Malmesbury (1870), I. 132. Had the Governor acted a becoming or spirited part at first, matters had not risen into this confusion.
1796. Scott, Lett., in Lockhart (1837), I. vii. 238. By the wise precautions of the magistrates,… and the spirited conduct of the gentlemen, I hope their designs will be frustrated. Ibid. (1815), Guy M., xxx. A few such instances of spirited resistance would greatly check the presumption of these lawless men.
1841. Excheq. Rep., ii. 178. Her Majesty’s government entertain a high sense of the very spirited and able conduct of Commander Denman.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. xxiii. 161. The thing was accomplished in a very spirited way.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 339. It was a spirited performance I assure you.
c. Of business or other enterprises.
1771. Ann. Reg., II. 109/2. Amongst the rarest instances of spirited husbandry ever met with among the common farmers of England.
c. 1842. Lance, Cottage Farmer, 26. To whose spirited exertions we are mainly indebted for the annual cattle-show.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 378. It was announced that a vehicle … would perform the whole journey between sunrise and sunset. This spirited undertaking was solemnly … sanctioned by the Heads of the University.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., I. 225/2. A gradual and spirited revival of the Gothic style.
d. Of attitudes, features, etc., or artistic representations of objects.
1781. Sir J. Reynolds, Journ. Flanders & Holland, Wks. 1797, II. 57. Some horsemen are seen at a distance in very spirited attitudes.
1832. Brewster, Nat. Magic, iv. 78. The expence of exceedingly minute and spirited drawings.
1849. C. Brontë, Shirley, vii. What clearly cut, spirited features!
1879. H. Phillips, Addit. Notes Coins, 11. The action is spirited, and by no means so stiff as the low state of the arts would have warranted us in expecting.
4. Of persons: Occupied or possessed by a (good or evil) spirit.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 613. So talk’d the spirited sly Snake.
1861. J. A. Alexander, Gosp. Christ, iii. 47. A voice both of kindness and of authority, stole in upon your spirited senses.
5. Gr. Gram. Provided with a breathing.
1668. M. Casaubon, Credulity (1670), 98. As for example, αγνος: Accented and Spirited ἄγνος, it signifies … a willow.
6. Impregnated with alcoholic spirit.
1822–7. Good, Study Med. (1829), II. 693. The mischief produced by highly-spirited malt liquors.
