Soul /(sōl)/

Soul

a.
  1. Sole. [Obs.]

Soul

v. i.
  1. To afford suitable sustenance. [Obs.]

Soul

n.
  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.”
    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.
    Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul.
  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!
  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.
  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 sword!
    Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul).
  6. A pure or disembodied spirit.
    That to his only Son . . . every soul in heaven Shall bend the knee.
  7. A perceived shared community and awareness among African-Americans.
  8. Soul music.

Phrases & Compounds

Cure of souls
See Cure, n., 2.
Soul bell
the passing bell.
Soul foot
See Soul scot, below.
Soul scot
A funeral duty paid in former times for a requiem for the soul.

Soul

v. t.
  1. To indue with a soul; to furnish with a soul or mind. [Obs.]

soul

a.
  1. By or for African-Americans, or characteristic of their culture; as, soul music; soul newspapers; soul food.