Soul

n. [O. Eng. saul, q. v.; A-S. sāwel, sāwl, sāul, Goth. saiwala, O. Sax. seole, siole, sele, sile, O. Fries. sele, siele, L. Ger. sele, sül, D. ziel, Icel. sāla, sál, Sw. säl, själ, Dan. sjel, O. H. Ger. séola, séula, séla, N. H. Ger. seele.] 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. The eyes of our souls then only begin to see, when our bodily eyes are closing. Law. 2. Hence, the seat of real life or vitality; the source of action; the animating or essential part. “The hidden soul of harmony.” Milton. Then sun, of this great world both eye and soul. Milton. 3. Hence, the leader; the inspirer of any action; as, the soul of an enterprise; an able general is the soul of his army. He is the soul of bounty. Shak. 4. Energy; courage; spirit; fervor; affection, or any other noble manifestation of the heart or moral nature. That he wants caution he must needs confess, But not a soul to give our arms success. Young. 5. A human being; a person; a man. God forbid so many simple souls Should perish by the sword. Shak. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Prov. xxv. 25. 6. A pure or disembodied spirit. Every soul in heaven shall bend the knee. Milton. Soul is used in the formation of numerous compounds, most of which are of very obvious signification; as, soul-betraying, soul-blinded, soul-calming, soul-confirming, soul-consuming, soul-deadening, soul-destroying, soul-dissolving, soul-distracting, soul-enfeebling, soul-enforcing, soul-enslaving, soul-entrancing, soul-exalting, soul-felt, soul-hardened, soul-harrowing, soul-killing, soul-piercing, soul-pleasing, soul-purifying, soul-quelling, soul-quickening, soul-refreshing, soul-reviving, soul-searching, soul-selling, soul-sick, soul-stirring, soul-stricken, soul-subduing, soul-vexed, soul-withering, and the like. Soul is used as a familiar appellation for a person, usually with an epithet expressing some qualities of the mind; as, alas! poor soul; he was a good soul. Syn. — Spirit; life; courage; fire; ardor.