spirits
[spˈɪrɪts] /ˈspir-ət How to pronounce spirit (audio)/ (ame, mw)
spirits — verb
- spiritspresent simple I / you / we / they
- spiritses3rd person singular
- spiritsing-ing form
- spiritsedpast simple
1. to move a person or thing away quickly and quietly so that other people do not n
to move a person or thing away quickly and quietly so that other people do not notice it happening
The fixer spirits the witness out of the hotel before dawn.
spirits + noun + out of [place]
A volunteer spirits the lost child away from the crowd and into the clinic.
spirits + noun + away from [place]
The curator spirits the damaged painting off the wall during the fire alarm.
The guard spirits the injured dog across the yard while rain lashes the tents.
文法句型
spirits + noun phrase + away/off/out/across + place
spirits + person/thing + from + place
用法筆記
This verb nearly always appears with a direction word such as away, off, out, across, or from. It suggests secrecy or speed, not just ordinary movement.
常見錯誤
spirits — noun
1. the characteristic attitudes or ways of thinking that people, groups, times, or
the characteristic attitudes or ways of thinking that people, groups, times, or places are known for
The novel captures the restless spirits of teenagers growing up in the port city.
the spirits of + group
Museum guides praised the inventive spirits of the first engineers who built the railway.
the spirits of + people in history
The teacher admired the cooperative spirits of the older pupils during the science fair.
Local songs still reflect the proud spirits of the fishing families on the island.
- characters
focuses more on individual personalities than on a shared atmosphere
- temperaments
stresses natural disposition rather than a group's public tone
文法句型
the spirits of + plural noun
spirits of a time/place/group
用法筆記
Usually appears in literary or reflective writing when a speaker talks about the character of several people or of a community over time.
常見錯誤
2. a person's emotional state, especially how cheerful, hopeful, or energetic they
a person's emotional state, especially how cheerful, hopeful, or energetic they feel at a particular time
Our spirits lifted when the ferry finally appeared through the morning fog.
spirits lifted = mood improved
Mina tried to keep her spirits up during the long wait for test results.
keep one's spirits up
After the lost final, the players' spirits were low in the locker room.
Fresh bread and hot soup raised the workers' spirits after the cold night shift.
文法句型
spirits lift/rise/sink
keep spirits up
in good/high/low spirits
用法筆記
Almost always plural in this meaning. It commonly appears in set phrases such as in good spirits, keep your spirits up, and raise someone's spirits.
常見錯誤
3. the basic purpose behind laws, rules, or agreements, rather than their exact wor
the basic purpose behind laws, rules, or agreements, rather than their exact wording
The judge said the spirits of the refugee laws demanded fair treatment for families.
the spirits of + laws
Teachers followed the spirits of the school rules when they calmed the noisy class.
Both contracts differ in wording, but their spirits clearly forbid hidden fees.
Inspectors compared the spirits of the old rules and the new safety code.
文法句型
the spirits of laws/rules/contracts
follow the spirits of + plural noun
用法筆記
Used mainly when people discuss whether they are respecting the purpose of a rule, law, or agreement, even if the exact words allow another reading.
常見錯誤
4. the non-physical selves of people, believed to continue existing after death
the non-physical selves of people, believed to continue existing after death
The priest prayed for the spirits of the miners who died in the collapse.
the spirits of the dead
Many elders believe the spirits of ancestors still watch over the family farm.
The poem imagines tired spirits leaving the body like birds at dusk.
The healer spoke of spirits returning to the sky after death.
文法句型
the spirits of the dead
spirits return/watch over
用法筆記
This sense refers to people's immaterial selves after death or apart from the body. Distinguish it from sense 5, where spirits are treated as separate supernatural beings that can appear or act in the world.
常見錯誤
5. supernatural beings that people imagine as invisible forces, ghosts, or other no
supernatural beings that people imagine as invisible forces, ghosts, or other non-human powers
Campers whispered that angry spirits wandered near the ruined fort at night.
spirits wandered = ghostly beings
The film shows child spirits opening doors in the empty hospital.
Villagers left fruit outside to calm the spirits they blamed for the storm.
Tour guides told stories about sea spirits rising from the black water.
文法句型
evil/sea/child spirits
spirits wander/appear/rise
用法筆記
Unlike sense 4, these spirits are treated as separate beings that may haunt a place, cause events, or receive offerings in stories and beliefs.
常見錯誤
6. strong alcoholic drinks such as whisky, gin, or vodka that are made by distillat
strong alcoholic drinks such as whisky, gin, or vodka that are made by distillation
The hotel bar stopped serving spirits after midnight.
serve spirits = serve strong alcohol
She avoids spirits but will have a glass of wine at dinner.
Duty-free shops often sell imported spirits in gift boxes.
The recipe uses dark spirits instead of beer for a deeper flavour.
- liquor
the dominant everyday term in North American English
- hard alcohol
informal and strongly contrasts with beer or wine
文法句型
serve/sell/avoid spirits
dark/clear spirits
用法筆記
Usually contrasts with beer and wine. It is more common in formal labels, menus, and regulations than in casual talk, where many speakers simply say alcohol or liquor.
常見錯誤
7. volatile liquids used for cleaning, mixing paint, or other practical work rather
volatile liquids used for cleaning, mixing paint, or other practical work rather than for drinking
The painter cleaned the brushes with spirits before packing them away.
clean with spirits
Keep the spirits in a locked cupboard because the fumes catch fire easily.
safety warning with spirits
The label warns that these spirits can damage plastic tables.
Workers used spirits to remove the fresh paint from the floor.
文法句型
clean with spirits
industrial/cleaning spirits
用法筆記
This meaning is about industrial or household liquids, not about alcoholic drinks. It often appears in warnings or instructions about paint, stains, and flammable fumes.