[Fr., corresp. to Pr. esperit, sperit, Sp. espiritu, Pg. espirito, It. spirito, ad. L. spīrit-us SPIRIT.] In Fr. primarily ‘spirit, mind.’ Hence used in many derivative senses; those occurring in Eng. writers are the following:
1. Sprightliness, vivacious wit in conversation or composition (see Littré, Esprit 15). Formerly in wider sense: Cleverness, ‘brains,’ ‘nous’ (see Littré, Esprit 13).
1591. F. Sparry, trans. Cattan’s Geomancie, 103. If the man be of a good esprit and vnderstanding.
1659. Gentl. Calling, iv. § 19. 406. They inscribe upon these poisons the inviting names of ingenuity and ‘esprit.’
1777. Dr. Jeans, in Priv. Lett. 1st Ld. Malmesbury, I. 353. He has certainly more esprit than the rest, because he knows how to save himself in good time.
1788. Walpoliana, cix. 45. Wit, or even what the French term esprit, seems little compatible with feeling.
1851. Mayne Reid, Scalp Hunt., xx. Frenchmen … singing their boat songs with all the esprit of their race.
1867. Parkman, Jesuits N. Amer., xix. (1875), 285. The French conceived that they had to do with a man of esprit.
2. In Fr. phraseological combinations.
a. Esprit de corps (ęspri d’ kor). [corps body]. The regard entertained by the members of a body for the honor and interests of the body as a whole, and of each other as belonging to it.
1827. Bentham, Ration. Evid., Wks. 1843, VI. 155/2. A particular community … such as that of divines, lawyers, merchants, &c. has its esprit de corps, its corporate affections, and other interests.
1873. H. Spencer, Stud. Sociol., x. 242. Esprit de corps … in each specialized part of the body politic, prompts measures to preserve the integrity of that part in opposition to other parts.
b. Esprit fort (ęspri for). Pl. esprits forts. [Fr. fort strong.] A ‘strong-minded’ person; usually, one who professes superiority to current prejudices, esp. a ‘freethinker’ in religion.
1750. Chesterf., Lett., ccxii. (1792), II. 311. Whenever … you happen to be in company with those pretended Esprits forts.
1765. Harris [Lord Malmesbury], Priv. Lett. 1st Ld. Malmesbury, I. 163. To pass for an esprit fort is all their ambition.
1800. Mar. Edgeworth, Belinda, xvii. She next tried what could be done by talking to her as an esprit fort.
