Soul

Soul Soul, n. [OE. soule, saule, AS. s[=a]wel, s[=a]wl; akin to OFries. s?le, OS. s?ola, D. ziel, G. seele, OHG. s?la, s?ula, Icel. s[=a]la, Sw. sj["a]l, Dan. si[ae]l, Goth. saiwala; of uncertain origin, perhaps akin to L. saeculum a lifetime, age (cf. {Secular}.)] 1. The spiritual, rational, and immortal part in man; that part of man which enables him to think, and which renders him a subject of moral government; -- sometimes, in distinction from the higher nature, or spirit, of man, the so-called animal soul, that is, the seat of life, the sensitive affections and phantasy, exclusive of the voluntary and rational powers; -- sometimes, in distinction from the mind, the moral and emotional part of man's nature, the seat of feeling, in distinction from intellect; -- sometimes, the intellect only; the understanding; the seat of knowledge, as distinguished from feeling. In a more general sense, ``an animating, separable, surviving entity, the vehicle of individual personal existence.'' --Tylor. [1913 Webster]

The eyes of our souls only then begin to see, when our bodily eyes are closing. --Law. [1913 Webster]

2. The seat of real life or vitality; the source of action; the animating or essential part. ``The hidden soul of harmony.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. The leader; the inspirer; the moving spirit; the heart; as, the soul of an enterprise; an able general is the soul of his army. [1913 Webster]

He is the very soul of bounty! --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Energy; courage; spirit; fervor; affection, or any other noble manifestation of the heart or moral nature; inherent power or goodness. [1913 Webster]

That he wants algebra he must confess; But not a soul to give our arms success. --Young. [1913 Webster]

5. A human being; a person; -- a familiar appellation, usually with a qualifying epithet; as, poor soul. [1913 Webster]

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. --Prov. xxv. 25. [1913 Webster]

God forbid so many simple souls Should perish by the sword! --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul). --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

6. A pure or disembodied spirit. [1913 Webster]

That to his only Son . . . every soul in heaven Shall bend the knee. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

7. A perceived shared community and awareness among African-Americans. [PJC]

8. Soul music. [PJC]

Note: Soul is used in the formation of numerous compounds, most of which are of obvious signification; as, soul-betraying, soul-consuming, soul-destroying, soul-distracting, soul-enfeebling, soul-exalting, soul-felt, soul-harrowing, soul-piercing, soul-quickening, soul-reviving, soul-stirring, soul-subduing, soul-withering, etc. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Spirit; life; courage; fire; ardor. [1913 Webster]

{Cure of souls}. See {Cure}, n., 2.

{Soul bell}, the passing bell. --Bp. Hall.

{Soul foot}. See {Soul scot}, below. [Obs.]

{Soul scot} or

{Soul shot}. [Soul + scot, or shot; cf. AS. s[=a]welsceat.] (O. Eccl. Law) A funeral duty paid in former times for a requiem for the soul. --Ayliffe. [1913 Webster]