spiritual
spir·it·ual [spiritual spirituals] adjective, noun BrE [ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl] NAmE [ˈspɪrɪtʃuəl]
adjective usually before noun
1. connected with the human spirit, rather than the body or physical things
•a spiritual experience
•spiritual development
•a lack of spiritual values in the modern world
• We're concerned about your spiritual welfare.
Opp: ↑material
2. connected with religion
•a spiritual leader
compare ↑temporal
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French spirituel, from Latin spiritualis, from spiritus ‘breath, spirit’, from spirare ‘breathe’.
Example Bank:
•The colours had an almost spiritual quality.
•This is a deeply spiritual piece of music.
•a truly spiritual experience
•He was committed to the welfare, both spiritual and physical, of the men under his command.
•Many Eastern cultures put spiritual values before material values.
•Nurses must respond to the spiritual needs of patients.
Idiom: ↑your spiritual home
Derived Word: ↑spiritually
noun (also ˌNegro ˈspiritual)
a religious song of the type originally sung by black ↑slaves in America
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French spirituel, from Latin spiritualis, from spiritus ‘breath, spirit’, from spirare ‘breathe’.
Culture:
Spirituals began in the 18th century when American slaves combined African rhythms with Protestant European hymns. Famous spirituals include Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Steal Away and Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen. Well-known singers of spirituals have included Paul Robeson and Marian Anderson.
See also ↑gospel music
.
See also: ↑Negro spiritual
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