a. ? Obs. Also 8 poet, spir’tous. [f. SPIRIT sb. + -OUS. Cf. It. spiritoso, Sp. espiritoso.]

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  1.  Of the nature of spirit; having the qualities of an essence or distilled product; highly refined or dematerialized.

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1605.  Timme, Quersit., III. 149. The two volatile salts … wil be best mingled by reason of their subtilty and spiritous substance.

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1653.  H. More, Antid. Ath., III. ix. § 12. The blood was found so pure and spiritous, that it spurted into his face as he cut him.

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1667.  Milton, P. L., VI. 479. Materials dark and crude, Of spiritous and fierie spume.

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1733.  Tull, Horse-Hoeing Husb., xiv. 83. When it [hay] stands ’till full Blown, the most spiritous, volatile, and nourishing Parts of its Juices is spent on the next Generation.

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1766.  A. Lee, in Phil. Trans., LVI. 96. The heat used in making the spiritous extract.

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  fig.  1641.  Milton, Ch. Govt., II. iii. Such the most covert and spiritous vices as would slip easily between the wider and more material grasp of Law.

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1651.  H. More, Enthus. Tri. (1712), 14. That Melancholy partakes much of the nature of Wine, he evinces from that it is so spiritous. Ibid. And that Melancholy is flatuous or spiritous [etc.].

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  b.  Of liquors: Alcoholic; = SPIRITUOUS a. 3 b.

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1799.  Dundas, in Owen, Wellesley’s Desp. (1877), 642. The encreasing produce of the revenue on salt, opium and spiritous liquors.

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1801.  Charlotte Smith, Lett. Solit. Wand., I. 322. Not allowing me to take any thing spiritous.

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1836.  Macgillivray, Trav. Humboldt, xxv. 381. From the fermented juice a spiritous liquor … is procured.

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  2.  Exhilarating, enlivening. rare–1.

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1624.  Wotton, Archit., 68. The second point is Vsefulnesse, which will consist in a sufficient Number of Roomes, of all sorts, and in their apt Coherence,… without confusion;… that it may appear airie and spiritous, and fit for the welcome of cheerefull Guests.

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  † 3.  Of persons: Lively, vivacious, high-spirited.

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1629.  Walton, in Wotton, Reliq. (1672), 445. I writ by him to the Queen … about your Spiritous nephew.

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1737.  Gentl. Mag., VII. 373/1. A gay companion,… Fond without folly, spir’tous without rage.

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1746.  W. Horsley, Fool (1748), I. 49. The spiritous Mrs. Frolic.

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  transf.  1763.  Brit. Mag., IV. 468/1. Her eyes darted the most spiritous rays.

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  † 4.  Gram. Of consonants: Pronounced with breathing or aspiration. Obs.

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1668.  Wilkins, Real Char., 367. The Spiritous Consonants to be breathed through the Mouth. Ibid., 375. The Spiritous Consonants that are Mutes.

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