Spiritual

a. and sb. Forms: 4–5 spirituel(l, 4–6 -elle, 4 spyrytuele, 5 spyryt-, spyrit-, spirytuel(l; 4– spiritual, 4–5 -ale, 6–7 -all, 5 spirytuall, spyrytual(e, 5–6 -all, sperituall (5 -ale), 6 spyritualle. [a. OF. spirituel (12th c., = It. spirituale, Sp. and Pg. espiritual), or ad. L. spīrituāl-is, f. spīritus SPIRIT sb. Cf. ESPIRITUAL, SPRITUAL, and SPIRITAL.]

  A.  adj.

  I.  1. Of or pertaining to, affecting or concerning, the spirit or higher moral qualities, esp. as regarded in a religious aspect. (Freq. in express or implied distinction to bodily, corporal, or temporal.)

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XIV. 284. So pouerte propreliche, penaunce, and ioye, Is to þe body pure spiritual helthe.

c. 1400.  Anturs of Arth., xx. Of thies sperituale thynges spyre me na mare.

c. 1430.  Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 97. Spiritual gladnesse most for to habounde, This day mynistred til oure refeccioune.

1474.  Caxton, Chesse (1883), 42. For they doo spirytuell and also corporall werkis.

1529.  More, Dyaloge, I. Wks. 157/1. It then bycame to be the spirituall busynesse and occupacion of man.

1563.  Foxe, A. & M., 1111. In the sacrament … there is not the very substaunce … but a spirituall partaking of the bodye and blood of Christ.

1592.  in J. Morris, Troubles Cath. Forefathers, 3rd Ser. (1877), 38. A man … much given to meditation, and receiving thereby many spiritual consolations.

1630.  B. Jonson, New Inn, III. ii. Love is a spiritual coupling of two souls.

1663.  Bp. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., xxvii. Since they are most proper to Beginners, and … those who enter upon the Spiritual Race.

1737.  Challoner, Cath. Chr. Instr., 20. The spiritual Kindred which is contracted between the Gossips and the Child.

1784.  P. Wright, New Bk. Martyrs, 798/1. To administer those spiritual helps that were suitable to men in their circumstances.

1835.  I. Taylor, Spir. Despot., vii. 289. The spiritual essence of popery has outlived the overthrow of the papal domination.

1883.  J. Parker, Apost. Life, II. 327. The thing I aim at is spiritual restoration, spiritual completeness, spiritual immortality.

  Comb.  1872.  Howells, Wedding Journ. (1892), 269. A spiritual-worldliness which was the clarified likeness of this-worldliness.

  b.  Applied to material things, substances, etc., in a figurative or symbolical sense.

1387–8.  T. Usk, Test. Love, III. ix. (Skeat), l. 98. How was it, that sightful manna in deserte to children of Israel was spirituel mete?

1550.  Coverdale (title), A Spyrytuall and moost precyouse Pearle. Teaching all men to loue and imbrace the crosse.

1576.  G. Tyrrell, in J. Morris, Troubles Cath. Forefathers, Ser. II. (1875), 306–7. Abundance of spiritual riches far passingly supplieth the lack of the other [i.e., corporal].

1611.  Bible, Transl. Pref., ¶ 1. The Spirituall and sincere milke of the word.

1667.  Milton, P. L., XII. 491. His Spirit … shall write To guide them in all truth, and also arme With spiritual Armour.

a. 1729.  J. Rogers, Nineteen Serm., vi. (1735), 117. All eat of the same spiritual Bread, and drank of the same spiritual Cup.

1820.  Southey, Wesley, II. 331. With regard to the bodily effects that ensued, whenever the spiritual influenza began.

1871.  Morley, Carlyle, in Crit. Misc., Ser. I. (1878), 173. A cloud of sedulous ephemera still suck a little spiritual moisture.

1889.  Stevenson, Edinburgh, 168. Every kind of spiritual disinfectant.

  c.  Of songs, etc.: Devotional, sacred.

1382.  Wyclif, Eph. v. 19. Spekinge to ȝou silf in psalmes, and ymnes, and spiritual songis.

1567.  Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.), 1. Singing of the Psalmes, and spiritual sangis.

1611.  Bible, Eph. v. 19; Colos. iii. 16.

1660.  F. Brooke, trans. Le Blanc’s Trav., 364. Dancings in stately rooms, or gardens, with spirituall songs, rather a sort of adoration than a dance.

  † d.  Of transcendent beauty or charm. Obs.^–1

1480.  Caxton, Myrr., II. iv. 69. Ther ben yet plente of other places so delectable, so swete, and so spyrytuel that yf a man were therin, he shold saye, that it were a very paradys.

  2.  Of, belonging or relating to, concerned with, sacred or ecclesiastical things or matters, as distinguished from secular affairs; pertaining to the church or the clergy; ecclesiastical.

1338.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 283. He sent to þe kyng tuo bisshops of renoun, & schewed þat spiritualle þing þorgh pouert ȝede alle doun.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 305. Þei meyntenen þis cursed þefte boþe bi seculer power and spiritual swerd.

a. 1440.  Found. St. Bartholomew’s (E.E.T.S.), 5. Thou shalte rounde a Chirche…. This spirituall howse, almyghty God shalle ynhabite and halowe yt.

1467.  in Eng. Gilds (1870), 390. In eny cymitory or londe spirituelle.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, lxxi. 25. Couatyce ringis into the spirituall state, Ȝarnand banifice the quhilk ar now vacand.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron. Hen. V., 37. We have in our spirituall conuocacion graunted to your highnes … a some of money.

1570–6.  Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 249. If any Clerke gave to a layman … any spirituall goodes, he should foorthwith stand excommunicate.

1654.  R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 362. The Scabberd of Power (if not of Justice,) seemeth to have Locks on them, that only the spirituall Keyes can open.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 26 April 1689. The penalty is to be the losse of their dignitie and spiritual preferment.

1727.  De Foe, Eng. Tradesm., v. (1841), I. 33. The duties of life, which are either spiritual or secular.

1844.  Lingard, Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858), I. ii. 78. The prelate watched over the spiritual interests.

1863.  Mrs. Oliphant, Salem Chapel, i. 6. The young man knew very little of the community which he had assumed the spiritual charge of.

  † b.  Of law: Canon, canonical. Obs.

1474.  Caxton, Chesse, III. iii. (1883), 95. As well in the spirituell lawe as in the temporall.

1642.  trans. Perkins’ Prof. Bk., i. § 49. 22. If a bastard eigne (who is mulier in the spiritual law,) continueth possession in lands [etc.].

  † c.  Of a day: Devoted to or set apart for special religious or sacred observances; holy. Obs.

1490.  Caxton, Rule St. Benet, 134. The souereyn may breke his mele for a stranger, wythout it be a spirituell fastynge daye.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 1 b. Whiche … in maner declareth the hole mater of these vij spirituall dayes.

  d.  Spiritual court, a court having jurisdiction in matters of religion or ecclesiastical affairs.

1498–9.  Plumpton Corr. (Camden), 133. A spoliacion in the spirituall court.

1538.  Starkey, England, 139. In theyr spiritual courtys, they haue no punnyschement … conuenyent to such fautys.

1681.  H. Nevile, Plato Rediv., 131. Neither the Chancery,… nor the Spiritual Courts, nor the Cheats in trade.

1758.  in Blackstone, Comm. (1765), I. 20. This appears in a particular manner from the spiritual courts of all denominations.

1809–10.  Coleridge, Friend (1865), 55. A … period during which the powers and the aims of law were usurped … by the clergy and the courts spiritual.

1845.  Mrs. S. Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., I. 111. The confusion arising from the jurisdiction of the spiritual and temporal courts.

  3.  Of persons: a. Standing to another, or to others, in a spiritual relationship.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 516. Alle we haue o fader flesshly & o moder, that is to seyn Adam and Eue & eek o fader spirituel, that is god of heuene.

c. 1440.  Alph. Tales, 189. I had iij spirituall maisters, and þe furste was drede, & the secunde was shame, and þe iij was luff.

1483.  Caxton, Cato, A vij. For herto ben bounden of ryght not onely the carnal faders but also the spyrituel.

1555.  Eden, Decades, To Rdr. (Arb.), 51. Thincrease of this spirituall Israell vnto whome … he was the father of fayth.

1562.  Winȝet, Wks. (S.T.S.), II. 23. Be thame he wald … quikin his spiritual peple afoir slane.

1567.  Allen, Def. Priesthood, 226. We call them Confessours, & of olde in Grece, they were named Spirituall maisters or Fathers.

1697.  Burghope, Disc. Relig. Assemb., 122. He preferrs his own parish priest … as being his spiritual father.

1769.  H. Venn, in Life (1835), 152. A lady said to me, ‘You, sir, are my spiritual father.’

1820.  Milner, Suppl. Mem. Eng. Cath., 66, note. The distinguished Professor of Divinity and Spiritual Director of the Pontifical Seminary of Douay.

1859.  Bartlett, Dict. Amer. (ed. 2), 434. Spiritual wife,… a Mormon extra wife or concubine.

  b.  Ecclesiastical, religious. Freq. in spiritual lords and spiritual man (or person).

  (a)  1399.  Rolls of Parlt., III. 451. The Kyng comond with his Spirituel Lordes.

c. 1460.  Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon., xv. (1885), 145. The gretteste lordes off þe lande, both spirituelles and temporellis.

1516.  Sc. Acts, Jas. V. (1875), XII. 36/1. We prelatis spirituall, Barouns Temporall, and Commouns of … Scottlaund.

1625.  in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. III. 203. When he had consulted with the Lords Spirituall and Temporall.

1661.  Reflex. upon the Oaths Suprem. & Alleg., 50. Ecclesiastical Courts, which we call the Spiritual Courts, and Spiritual Judges, and Spiritual Authority.

1727.  Swift, Poison. E. Curll, Wks. 1755, III. I. 150. I do also heartily beg pardon of all persons of honour, lords spiritual and temporal, gentry, burgesses, and commonalty.

1824.  in Nairne Peerage Evid. (1874), 73. With the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal and commons in this present Parliament assembled.

1863.  H. Cox, Instit., I. vii. 62. The Lords Spiritual and Temporal form one legislative assembly.

  (b)  c. 1460.  Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon., xv. (1885), 146. Ther were chosen xij spirituell men, and xij temporell men.

1480.  in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 316. What ever condicion or degree he be of, spirituell or temporell.

1530.  Act 22 Hen. VIII., c. 15. Spyrituall persones of the prouynce of the archebyshopryche of Canturburye.

1582.  in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ., V. 32. Being examined whether he be a spirituall or a temporall man, answereth that he is a Spirituall man and a Priest.

1642.  Bird, Mag. Honour, 146. The brethren and sonnes … of every Knight, being spirituall men, may … purchase lycense and dispensation.

1726.  Ayliffe, Parergon, 129. All Bishops and Abbots sat in State-Councils by Reason of their Office, as they were spiritual Persons.

1848.  Stephen, Laws Eng. (ed. 2), II. 39, note. Any sale or assignment by any spiritual person of any patronage belonging to him in virtue of his office.

  c.  Devout, holy, pious; morally good; having spiritual tendencies or instincts.

1382.  Wyclif, Gal. vi. 1. Ȝe that ben spiritual, teche siche a maner man in spirit of softenesse.

c. 1400.  St. Alexius (Laud MS. 622), 842. Þere is a Man of dedes gode, Spirituel, & mylde of mode.

c. 1450.  Holland, Howlat, 166. Thir ar fowlis of effect,… Spirituale in all thing, Leile in thar leving.

1674.  Marvell, Corr., Wks. (Grosart), II. 423. The good acquaintance you have among those spirituall people.

c. 1791.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), VII. 447/1. These milder alterations were zealously opposed by a branch of the Franciscans called the spiritual.

1836.  [Mrs. Cheap], Going to Service, xii. 140. I have a spiritual lady to serve.

1883.  [see SPIRITUALITY 3].

  4.  Of or pertaining to, consisting of, spirit, regarded in either a religious or intellectual aspect; of the nature of a spirit or incorporeal supernatural essence; immaterial.

  In early use not always distinct from sense 1.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 12170. He myȝt se weyl Þyng þat was spyrytuele.

1382.  Wyclif, 1 Cor. xv. 44. It is sowun a beestly body, it schal ryse a spiritual body.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), xvi. 74. I am noȝt erthely, bot spirituall.

c. 1475.  Partenay, 5291. When to ende nyhed he, That the soule moste yelde being spirituall.

1557.  N. T. (Genev.), Eph. vi. 12. For we wrestle not against fleshe and bloud: but … against spiritual wickednesses.

1662.  Stillingfl., Orig. Sacræ, III. i. § 17. If there be then such things in the World which matter and motion cannot be the causes of then there are certainly spiritual and immaterial Beings.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IV. 677. Millions of spiritual Creatures walk the Earth Unseen.

1696.  Phillips (ed. 5), Spiritual, said of a Being that has no Body, that falls not under the Senses.

1825.  Coleridge, Aids Refl., 67. The Will is pre-eminently the spiritual Constituent of our Being.

1846.  Ruskin, Mod. Paint., II. III. ii. § 17. It is degrading to the spiritual creature to suppose it operative through impulse of bone and sinew.

1875.  J. P. Hopps, Princ. Relig., ii. 9. The real man is the spiritual being who controls and uses all the faculties and organs of the body.

  b.  Appropriate or natural to a spirit.

1667.  Milton, P. L., VIII. 110. His Omnipotence, That to corporeal substances could adde Speed almost Spiritual.

  5.  Consisting of pure essence or spirit; volatile; spirituous, alcoholic. Now rare or Obs.

1477.  Norton, Ord. Alch., vi. in Ashm. (1652), 95. All other Vessells be made of Glasse, That spirituall matters should not out-passe.

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 387. All Sweet Smells have joyned with them, some Earthy or crude Odours; And at some distance the Sweet, which is the more Spiritual, is perceived.

a. 1648.  Digby, Closet Opened (1677), 125. Thus you have only the spiritual parts of the Tea.

1826.  Art of Brewing (ed. 2), 69. Stout ales … labour under one material want—that of spiritual vigour.

  6.  Of or pertaining to, emanating from, the intellect or higher faculties of the mind; intellectual.

1725.  Watts, Logic, I. iii. § 1. Spiritual or intellectual Ideas are those which we gain by reflecting on the Nature and Actions of our own Souls.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, XVI. v. That refined degree of Platonic affection which is … entirely and purely spiritual.

1813.  Shelley, Q. Mab, V. 162. Blunting the keenness of his spiritual sense With narrow schemings and unworthy cares.

1853.  Lytton, My Novel, VIII. xi. Whatever she gained in the graver kinds of information, became transmuted, through her heart and her fancy, into spiritual golden stores.

1875.  Hamerton, Intell. Life, XI. iv. 417. You do not so clearly understand the spiritual function of the intellectual class.

  7.  Characterized by or exhibiting a high degree of refinement of thought or feeling. (Cf. SPIRITUEL a.)

1784.  J. Barry, Lect. Paint., vi. (1848), 227. The harmony resulting from all those variegating masses of colour, together with the light, easy, graceful, spiritual manner in which the whole [picture] is conducted.

1820.  Keats, St. Agnes, xxxv. Those sad eyes were spiritual and clear.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, xliii. The delicate face,… the too bright eye, the spiritual head,… told their silent tale.

  8.  Clever, smart, witty. (Cf. SPIRITUEL a.)

1791–1823.  D’Israeli, Cur. Lit. (1834), I. 228. It may not here be improper to take notice of a wise and spiritual saying of this young prince.

1837.  Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. I. x. Of all this the spiritual biographies of that period say nothing.

1872.  Routledge’s Ev. Boy’s Ann., July, 493/1. We French are extremely spiritual, and … are never at a loss for an answer.

  9.  Concerned with spirits or supernatural beings.

1841.  Lane, Arab. Nts., I. 69. Who acquired a very great and extensive celebrity for his attainments in spiritual and natural magic.

1855–7.  (title), Yorkshire Spiritual Telegraph, containing a number of extraordinary communications from the Spiritual World.

1860–1877.  (title), The Spiritual Magazine.

  b.  = SPIRITUALISTIC a. 2.

  Spiritual funeral, one conducted after the fashion of the believers in Spiritualism (Bartlett).

1858.  in Bartlett, Dict. Amer. (1859), 434. A spiritual funeral was held at Lowell lately.

  II.  † 10. Of or pertaining to breathing; respiratory. Obs.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. xxvi. (Bodl. MS.). Þe schuldres ben nedeful to defende þe spiritualle membres.

c. 1460.  J. Metham, Wks. (E.E.T.S.), 89. It signifieth good dysposicion of the hert and of the spirituall membris in a man.

1576.  G. Baker, trans. Gesner’s Jewell of Health, 169. Briefly, all matters found in the Lungs, and spirituall members, this singularly purgeth.

  B.  sb. I. † 1. a. collect. The spirituality; the clergy. Obs.

a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 2414. It es a foly to offende oure fadyr vndire Gode … Ȝif we spare the spirituelle, we spede bot the bettire.

  † b.  An ecclesiastic or cleric. Obs.^–1

c. 1450.  Holland, Howlat, 733. Haile speciose, most specifyit with the spiritualis!

1682.  Wheler, Journ. Greece, VI. 356. There are but few among them [Greeks], who have wherewithal to live, but will learn, while they are young, to write and read, whether Spirituals, or Seculars.

  2.  a. A spiritual or spiritually minded person.

1532.  More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 365/2. He sayth himselfe that y^e spirituals do searche the bottom of gods commaundementes and fulfyll them gladly. Ibid., 715/1. The very Isaackes, the very Iacobs, and the very spiritualles, & the verye apostles.

  b.  Eccl. Hist. (With initial capital.) A member of the Congregation of Narbonne, a branch of Franciscans which advocated a stricter observance of the rule of poverty and simplicity of dress.

  The branch was pronounced schismatic by Pope John XXII. in 1318.

c. 1791.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), VII. 447/2. The one [party], embracing the severe discipline and absolute poverty of St. Francis, were called spirituals.

1855.  Milman, Lat. Chr., XII. vi. V. 419. The Spirituals, the Fraticelli,… openly avowed their belief. Ibid., 420. The sudden election to the Popedom of Cœlestine V.,… a new St. Francis, to the Spiritualists a true Spiritual.

1862.  G. H. Townsend, Man. Dates, Spiritualists, called also the Zealous, or the Spirituals.

  c.  An inhabitant of the ‘spiritual kingdom.’

1807.  Southey, Lett. fr. Eng. (1814), III. 158. The celestials chiefly using the vowels U and O, the spirituals preferring E and I.

  d.  U.S. A spiritual wife (see prec. 3 a).

1855.  Putnam’s Monthly Mag., VI. 147/1. These extra wives [of the Mormons] are known by sundry designations—some call them ‘spirituals,’ others, ‘sealed ones.’

  3.  pl. Spiritual matters, affairs or ideas.

1582.  N. T. (Rhem.), Eph. vi. 12. Our wrestling is not against flesh and bloud: but … against the spirituals of wickednes in the celestials.

1607.  [see CARNAL a. 4 b].

1625.  Burges, Tithes, 14. Why he should pay so much of his Carnals for Spirituals.

1649.  F. Roberts, Clavis Bibl., Introd. ii. 32. He condemns the contrary unskilfulnesse in the Scriptures, as the … root of all errour in spirituals.

1665.  Boyle, Occas. Refl., I. v. (1848), 86. Translate now (O my Soul) all this unto Spirituals.

1716.  M. Davies, Athen. Brit., I. 170. ’Twas no great piece of News to hear of Laymen’s ministring in Spirituals to Church-People.

1774.  Mme. D’Arblay, Early Diary (1889), I. 303. I have found much pleasure in Madame de Maintenon’s Letters (except in Theologicals and Spirituals).

1840.  Mill, Diss. & Disc. (1875), I. 433. Such was the prevailing tone of English belief in temporals; what was it in spirituals?

1893.  Pall Mall Gaz., 9 Jan., 3/2. Spirits and spirituals taken in excess at the wrong way work the same effect with weak and over excited brains.

  b.  Matters that specially or primarily concern the church or religion.

1647.  N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., I. vii. 25. There was but one Metropolitan…, so as his power was in spirituals over many Kingdoms.

1689.  Popple, trans. Locke’s 1st Let. Toleration, L.’s Wks. 1727, II. 246. If … such a Power be granted unto the Civil Magistrate in Spirituals.

1794.  trans. Barruel’s Clergy during Fr. Rev., 98. That it did not belong to the secular power to meddle in spirituals.

1853.  M. Kelly, trans. Gosselin’s Power Pope Mid. Ages, II. 360. That the Church and the pope have received … full power to govern the world, both in spirituals and temporals.

1873.  Morley, Rousseau, xii. II. 178. The civil power does best absolutely and unreservedly to ignore spirituals.

  c.  Spiritual or ecclesiastical goods or possessions; spiritualities.

1827.  Gentl. Mag., XCVII. II. 536. Forming part of their spirituals (because such their spirituals always include an absolute right over other people’s temporals).

1863.  Blyth, Hist. Notices & Rec. Fincham, 39. The spirituals were such revenue as was connected with spiritual duties and the cure of souls, and consisted almost entirely of tithes, glebe lands, and house.

  4.  a. A spiritual counterpart or analogue.

1650.  T. Vaughan, Anima Magica, 52. Learn to refer all Naturals to their Spirituals, per viam Secretioris Analogiæ.

  b.  A spiritual (as opposed to a material) thing.

1661.  Glanvill, Van. Dogm., 97. In our notion of spirituals, we, as much as we can, denudate them of all material Phantasmes.

1708.  H. Dodwell, Nat. Mort. Hum. Souls, 127. It does now affect us to think of Spirituals, whilst we have no sensible Impression made upon us by Things purely Spiritual, but by those only which are only Corporeal.

  c.  Spiritual quality or power; pl. spiritual faculties.

1649.  F. Roberts, Clavis Bibl., 239. The Succession of Elisha as Prophet in stead of Elijah; a double portion of his spirituall resting upon him.

1652.  Benlowes, Theoph., IV. xix. Spiritual light spirituals clears.

  5.  colloq. A spiritual or sacred song; a hymn.

1870.  T. W. Higginson, Army Life in a Black Regiment, 197. I had for many years heard of this class of songs under the name of ‘Negro Spirituals.’ Ibid., 199. It seemed the simplest primitive type of ‘spiritual.’

  II.  † 6. pl. The respiratory organs. Obs.

c. 1400.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 161. Þis diafragma departiþ þe spirituals from þe guttis, & in þe holownes þat is aboue liggiþ þe herte & þe lungis.

1610.  Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, XXII. xxiv. (1620), 848. The courses of the veines, sinewes and arteries, and the secrets of the spirituals.