资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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.
The eyes of our souls only then begin to see, when
our bodily eyes are closing. --Law.
2. The seat of real life or vitality; the source of action;
the animating or essential part. ``The hidden soul of
harmony.'' --Milton.
Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul.
--Milton.
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.
He is the very soul of bounty! --Shak.
4. Energy; courage; spirit; fervor; affection, or any other
noble manifestation of the heart or moral nature; inherent
power or goodness.
That he wants algebra he must confess; But not a
soul to give our arms success. --Young.
5. A human being; a person; -- a familiar appellation,
usually with a qualifying epithet; as, poor soul.
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news
from a far country. --Prov. xxv.
25.
God forbid so many simple souls Should perish by the
aword! --Shak.
Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul). --Cowper.
6. A pure or disembodied spirit.
That to his only Son . . . every soul in heaven
Shall bend the knee. --Milton.
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.
Syn: Spirit; life; courage; fire; ardor.
{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.