Spirit

(spirit.) [From L. spiritus, breathing.] (Metaph.) Any incorporeal being, substance, or intelligence; as distinguished from a material body or entity.-(Chem.) Any inflammable liquor obtained by distillation; as brandy, rum, . Ordinary S. contain from 50 to 52 per cent. of alcohol; S. of wine, from 62 to 67 per cent. What is called proof S. contains 4914 per cent. by weight of real alcohol, and has a sp. gr. at 60° Fahr. of 0-9198. When S. is said to be any number over proof, the expre ion means that 100 gallons of it would take that number of gallons of water to reduce it to proof strength; thus, 100 gals. of S. 10 over proof, would require 10 gals. of water to reduce it to proof; the result of the mixture being 110 gals. at proof. (See ALCOHOL.)- The Spirit, or Holy Spirit. (Theol.) See HOLY GHOST. [s. 847]