Forms: α. 1 sawol, -al, 1–2 sawul, 1, 4 sawel (1 sauwel, 4 saw-, sauwil), 1, 4–6 sawl (5–6 sawll, 9 dial. sawl, seawl, zawl, etc.), 2–6 sawle; 1, 4 sauel (4 -il), 3–7 (9 dial.) saule (3 sæule, 4 zaule, 5 savle); 1, 4–5, 6–9 Sc. and north. saul, 5–7 Sc. and north. saull; 5 sal, saal, 5–6 sale, 5–6 (9 dial.) sall (6 salle). β. 2–7 sowle, 5 sowel, 5–6 sowylle, 6 sowll, 8 Ir. showl, 9 dial. sowl; 3–7 soule (6 zoule, soulle), 5– soul (8 dial. saoul); 5 sool (6 sooll), 5–6 solle, 6–8 (9 dial.) sole, 7 sol. [Common Teut.: OE. sáwol, sáwel, sáwl, etc., = Goth. saiwala; the forms in the other languages show various degrees of contraction, as OHG. sêula, sêla (MHG. sêle, G. seele), OS. sêola (siola; MLG. sêle, LG. seele, seel), OLFrank. sêla, sîla (MDu. siel-e, ziel-e, Du. ziel), OFris. sêle (siele; WFris. siel, NFris. seel, sial, etc.); ON. sála, sál (Icel. sál, Norw. dial. saal), MSw. sial, siäl, siel (Sw. själ, Da. sjæl), whence Finn. sielu, Lapp. siello, etc. The ultimate etymology is uncertain.
For examples of the older genitive form without -s, see 18.]
I. † 1. The principle of life in man or animals; animate existence. Obs. (freq. in OE. in Scriptural passages).
Beowulf, 2820. Him of hreðre ʓewat sawol secean soðfæstra dom.
c. 825. Vesp. Psalter lxxvii. 50. [He ne] spearede from deaðe sawlum heara.
c. 1000. Ags. Ps. (Thorpe), xxxii. 16. Forþam þæt he ʓefriðie heora sawla fram deaðe, and hi fede on hungres tide.
1382. Wyclif, Jonah i. 14. Lord, we bisechen, that we perishe not in the soule of this man.
a. 1450. trans. De Imitatione, I. xviii. 19–20. For þei hated her soules, þat is to say, her bodely lyues, þat þei miȝt kepe hem in to lif euerlasting.
1535. Coverdale, Judg. xii. 3. Whan I sawe yt there was no helper, I put my soule in my honde, and wente agaynst the children of Ammon.
1611. Bible, Gen. xxxv. 18. As her soule was in departing, (for she died).
[1651. Hobbes, Leviath., III. xxxviii. 241. Soule and Life in the Scripture, do usually signifie the same thing.]
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 744. The thriven Calves … render their sweet Souls before the plenteous Rack.
2. The principle of thought and action in man, commonly regarded as an entity distinct from the body; the spiritual part of man in contrast to the purely physical. Also occas., the corresponding or analogous principle in animals. Freq. in connection with, or in contrast to, body.
Sometimes personified, as in the common mediæval dialogues between the soul and the body.
α. c. 888. K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxiv. § 6. To þære saule & to þæm lichoman, belimpað ealle þas þæs monnes good ʓe gastlicu ʓe lichomlicu.
971. Blickl. Hom., 21. Eal swa hwæt swa se ʓesenelica lichama deþ oþþe wyrceþ, eal þæt deþ seo unʓesynelice sawl þurh þone lichoman.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., I. 16. Se man is ece on anum dæle, þæt is on ðære sawle.
c. 1200. Ormin, 11498. Swa þatt te manness bodiȝ beo Buhsumm forþ wiþþ þe sawle.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 21757 (Edin.). Þe Sawil it hauis of strenþis þrin.
1340. Ayenb., 105. Þri þinges þet byeþ ine þe zaule, beþenchinge, onderstondynge, and wyl.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 4429. All þe sauour of ȝoure sauls is sattild in ȝour mouthis.
1483. Cath. Angl., 319. A Savle, anima.
1599. Alex. Hume, Hymns, i. 21. My sensis, and my saull I saw, Debait a deadly strife.
1737. Gentl. Mag., VII. 50. The coward lurks in Jockey’s saul.
β. c. 1175. in Fragm. Ælfric’s Gloss., etc. (1838), 6. Ȝet sæiþ þeo sowle soriliche to þen licame [etc.].
12[?]. Moral Ode, 394. To þere blisse us bringe god … þenne he vre soule vn-bint of licames bende.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 656. But if [= unless] a mannes soule were in his purs.
1422. trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 218. Here is i-prowid that the Sowle sueth the condycionys of the bodyes.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 258. As þi soule is lyif of þi body, so is god lyif of þi soule.
a. 1547. Surrey, Eccl., iii. Poems (1810), 355. Who can tell yf that the sowle of man ascende, Or with the body of it dye?
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., IV. i. 132. To hold opinion … That soules of Animals infuse themselues Into the trunkes of men.
1621. Hakewill, David’s Vow, 120. It is … vanity, to thinke that all passions either may be or should be utterly rooted out of the soule.
1681. Flavel, Meth. Grace, v. 111. If there be spiritual sense in your souls, there is spiritual life in them.
1716–8. Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett., I. xxxix. 159. Our vulgar notion that they do not own women to have any souls, is a mistake.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), II. 207. It must be dreadful, say some, since it is sufficient to separate the soul from the body.
1841. Dickens, Barn. Rudge, iii. The absence of the soul is far more terrible in a living man than in a dead one.
1868. Helps, Realmah, ix. (1876), 247. I mean that there should be a double soul, taking the word ‘soul’ to include all powers, both of thought and feeling.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 441. I know many people have doubts as to the existence of souls in small boys of this class.
fig. 1829. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), II. 106. Thus is the Body-politic, more than ever worshipped and tendered; but the Soul-politic less than ever.
b. Without article.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., I. 276. Fixas and fuʓelas he ʓesceop on flæsce butan sawle.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 290. Al schal doun & be ded & dryuen out of erþe, Þat euer I sette saule inne.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troilus, II. 1734. I coniure … On his half, which that sowle us alle sende.
c. 1430. Hymns Virgin (1867), 102. In soule oonli þou wente to helle.
1535. Coverdale, Wisd. xiv. 29. Idols (which haue nether sole ner vnderstondinge).
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., i. 13. That all their Thoughts, and the whole of what they call Soul, are only various Action and Repercussion of small particles of Matter.
1727–46. Thomson, Summer, 774. There on the breezy summit let me draw Ethereal soul.
1813. Byron, Giaour, 93. So coldly sweet, so deadly fair, We start, for soul is wanting there.
1884. Browning, Ferishtah, Eagle, 47. God is soul, souls I and thou.
c. Coupled with body or life. (Without article.)
c. 888. K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxiv. § 9. Ic wat þæt hit bið sawl & lichoma.
a. 1175. Cott. Hom., 221. He warð þa man ȝesceapen on sawle and on lichame.
c. 1200. Ormin, 2544. To wurrþenn filledd … I bodiȝ & i sawle Off Godess Gastess hallȝhe mahht.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 23903 (Edin.). Lif and sawel I yeld hir til.
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 129. How wake man es in saul and body.
c. 1450. Holland, Howlat, 739. Bot all committis to the, Saull and lyf, ladye!
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 25. Whan man offreth hymselfe hole to almyghty god, bothe soule & body.
1567. Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.), 10. Baith Saule and body to defend.
1753. Miss Collier, Art Torment., II. ii. (1811), 127. By never letting him see you swallow half enough to keep body and soul together.
1831. Scott, Cast. Dang., ix. I can hardly get so much for mine as will hold soul and body together.
Comb. 1817. Coleridge, Biog. Lit. (Bohn), viii. 64. To fall back into the common rank of soul-and-bodyists.
3. a. The seat of the emotions, feelings or sentiments; the emotional part of man’s nature.
For the phr. heart and soul, see HEART sb. 52.
c. 825. Vesp. Psalter vi. 4. ʓedroefed sindun all ban min, & sawl min ʓedroefed is swiðe.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. xxvi. 38. Unrot is sauel min … oð deaðe.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., C 325. When þacces of anguych was hid in my sawle.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 10768. Hit wold haue persit with pyte any pure sawle … hor torfer to se.
c. 1420. in 26 Pol. Poems, 108. My soul of my self anoyed isse.
1553. Grimalde, Cicero’s Offices (1600), A iij. Of the soule, or life endued with sences, pleasures is the ende that it would enioy.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, II. iii. 60. Now is his soule rauisht, is it not strange that sheepes guts should hale soules out of mens bodies?
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 556. For Eloquence the Soul, Song charms the Sense.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Past., VIII. 113. Such let the Soul of cruel Daphnis be; Hard to the rest of Women; soft to me.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xlviii. Valancourt seemed to be annihilated, and her soul sickened at the blank that remained.
1805. Scott, Last Minstrel, VI. i. Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said [etc.].
1857. Maurice, Epist. St. John, ii. 24. We say sometimes of a speech which strikes us as very sincere and very powerful, ‘The speaker threw his whole soul into it.’
1874. M. Creighton, Hist. Ess., i. (1902), 2. Shakespeare … became in soul one with the mighty prince as with the lowly peasant.
b. Intellectual or spiritual power; high development of the mental faculties.
1604. Shaks., Oth., I. i. 54. These Fellowes haue some soule.
1702. Pope, Wife of Bath, 299. The mouse that always trusts to one poor hole, Can never be a mouse of any soul.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa, VI. 169. I never saw so much soul in a lady’s eyes, as in hers.
1828. Lytton, Pelham, I. xvi. 107. The women love soul, Monsieur—something intellectual and spiritual always attracts them.
1873. M. Arnold, Lit. & Dogma (1876), 49. What man of soul … but would prefer to say [etc.].
1888. Pater, Appreciations, Style (1889), 22. As a quality of style,… soul is a fact.
4. In various phrases (see quots.).
a. c. 1400. Beryn, 2682. A douȝter, þat he lovid right as his owne saal.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., I. ii. 247. My Father lou’d Sir Roland as his soule.
b. 1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 109. [They] Skantlie durst say thair saull wes thair awin.
c. 1712. W. King, Old Cheese, 8, Wks. 1776, III. 144. Slouch could hardly call his Soul his own.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), II. 124. He dares not say his soul is his own.
1889. J. Corbett, Monk, xi. 155. From that moment he could not call his soul his own.
c. 1594. Nashe, Unfort. Trav., Wks. (Grosart), V. 168. They basted him with a mixture of Aqua fortis [etc.],… which smarted to the very soule of him.
1602. Shaks., Ham., III. ii. 10. O it offends mee to the Soule, to see [etc.]. Ibid. (1604), Oth., I. iii. 196. I am glad at soule, I haue no other Child.
1663. Dryden, Rival Ladies, IV. iii. She’s an infamous, lewd prostitute: I loathe her at my soul.
d. 1599. Shaks., Hen. V., III. vi. 8. A man that I loue and honour with my soule and my heart.
1687. Miége, Gt. Fr. Dict., II. s.v., With all my Soul, de toute mon Ame.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 6 Feb. 1685. I cannot … but deplore his losse, which … I do with all my soul.
1736. Gentl. Mag., VI. 459/1. Here ’tis with all my Soul.
1828. Lytton, Pelham, II. xxi. 212. ‘I pledge you, with all my soul,’ said I, filling my glass to the brim.
e. 1588. Shaks., Titus A., V. iii. 190. I do repent it from my very Soule. Ibid. (1613), Hen. VIII., II. iv. 81. I … from my Soule Refuse you for my Iudge.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 18 Aug. 1688. I wish from my soul … her husband … was as worthy of her.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ., Temptation. I could not from my soul but fasten the buckle in return.
5. Metaph. The vital, sensitive or rational principle in plants, animals or human beings. Freq. with distinguishing adjs., as vegetative, sensible or sensitive, rational or reasonable. (Cf. these words.)
(a) 1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., III. vii. (1495), 53. In dyuers bodyes ben thre manere soules: vegetabilis, that yeuyth lyfe and noo felinge, as in plantes and rootes; Sensibilis, that yeuyth lyfe and felynge and not reason in vnskylfull beestes; Racionalis, that yeuyth lyf, felyng and reeson in men.
c. 1400. trans. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh., 91. Þe kendly sowel [of things vegetable] gedyrs to-gedyr all þes propertes.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, i. 11. Thou beleeuest that the Plants haue a kinde of Soule, that is to say, a certeine inward power or vertue which maketh them to shoote foorth in their season.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 209. A soft pith, in which consists the soule and vegetatiue vertue of that tree.
1707. Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 27. A Plant … contains within itself a Principle of Life, which we may call Soul; from whence proceed the Operations of each Plant.
1725. Watts, Logic, I. vi. § 3. Our elder Philosophers have generally made use of the Word Soul to signify that Principle whereby a Plant grows, and they called it the vegetative Soul.
(b) 1398. [see prec.].
a. 1400–. [see SENSITIVE a. 1].
1587. Golding, De Mornay, i. 11. Thou beleeuest that … the Beastes also haue one other kinde of Soule, which maketh them to mooue.
1620. T. Granger, Div. Logike, 43. The Brutall soule or spirit is not a power or facultie of the reasonable soule.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man. (1677), 33. The sensible Soul of a vast Whale exerciseth its regiment to every part of that huge structure with the same efficacy and facility as the Soul of a Fly or a Mite doth.
1725. Watts, Logic, I. vi. § 3. The Principle of the animal Motion of a Brute has been likewise call’d a Soul, and we have been taught to name it the sensitive Soul.
1775. Harris, Philos. Arrangem., Wks. (1841), 373. The soul perceives those goods which it is conscious that the animal wants.
1871. Boultbee, Theol. Ch. Eng., 36. The animal soul was present; for He [Christ] ate before the disciples.
1880. Ld. Reay, Social Democ. Germany, 8. The soul with which it [sc. a plastidule] is endowed, is called protoplastic soul.
(c) a. 1325. Prose Psalter 195. As resonable soule & flesshe is o man.
1390–. [see REASONABLE a. 1 b].
1398. [see (a)].
1587. Golding, De Mornay, xv. 238. Auerrhoes, and … Alexander of Aphrodise,… vpholde that there is but one vniuersall reasonable Soule or minde, which worketh all our discourses in vs.
1597. Morley, Introd. Musicke, Ded. Our maisters,… by whose directions the faculties of the reasonable soule be stirred vp to enter into contemplation.
1610. Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, V. xi. (1620), 202. Hee that gaue the vnreasonable soule sense, memorie, and appetite; the reasonable besides these, phantasie, vnderstanding and will.
1615. [see RATIONAL a. 1].
1725. Watts, Logic, I. vi. § 3. They distinguish this by the honourable Title of the rational Soul.
1871. Boultbee, Theol. Ch. Eng., 36. The rational soul was there: He [Christ] reasoned with them out of the Scriptures.
b. Hence three souls, in allusion to the above as combined in human beings.
1601. B. Jonson, Poetaster, V. iii. 160. What? will I turne sharke, vpon my friends?… I scorne it with my three soules.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., II. iii. 61. Shall wee rowze the night-Owle in a Catch, that will drawe three soules out of one Weauer?
[c. 1645. Howell, Lett., I. iii. 30. The Embryo is animated with three Souls;… and these three in Man are like Trigonus in Tetragono.]
6. fig. Applied to persons: a. As a term of endearment or adoration.
1581. Pettie, trans. Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., I. (1586), 33 b. Politike louers, who … tearme her … sometime the heart of their life, sometime their soule.
1590. Shaks., Mids. N., III. ii. 246. My loue, my life, my soule, faire Helena. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., V. v. 263. Hang there like fruite, my soule, Till the Tree dye.
1654. Gayton, Pleas. Notes, III. xiii. 165.
| O persevere (soule of my soule) | |
| And act according to thy word. |
1832. Tennyson, Œnone, 69. My own Œnone,… my own soul, Behold this fruit.
1864. Browning, Dram. Pers., Prospice. O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again.
b. The personification of some quality.
1605. 1st Pt. Jeronimo, III. ii. 40. Prince Balthezer,… The very soule of true nobility.
1607. Shaks., Timon, I. ii. 215. O he’s the very soule of Bounty.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar, xxxi. My brother indeed was the soul of honour.
c. The inspirer or leader of some business, cause, movement, etc.; the chief agent, prime mover, or leading spirit.
1662. J. Davies, trans. Olearius’ Voy. Ambass., 366. The Chancellor, who was the President of the King’s Council, the Soul of Affairs.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 113/2. The Master Printer, who is the Soul of Printing; all other workmen about it, are as Members to the Body.
1724. De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 122. The soul of the war was dead.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., IX. III. 131. Francis…, whom he considered as the soul and mover of any confederacy.
1808. Scott, Marm., VI. xxxviii. Unnam’d by Hollinshed or Hall, He was the living soul of all.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xi. III. 15. He was the author and the soul of the European coalition.
1882. Serjt. Ballantine, Exper., xvii. 171. As long as he remained … he was the soul of the table.
7. fig. Of things: a. The essential, fundamental or animating part, element or feature of something. Also rarely without article.
(a) 1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., IV. i. 50. Therein should we reade The very Bottome, and the Soule of Hope. Ibid. (1602), Ham., II. ii. 90. Breuitie is the Soule of Wit.
1632. Milton, L’Allegro, 144. The hidden soul of harmony.
c. 1670. Hobbes, Dial. Com. Laws (1681), 2. Reason is the Soul of the Law.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 409, ¶ 10. I could wish there were Authors … who … would enter into the very Spirit and Soul of fine Writing.
1775. Schuyler, in Sparks, Corr. Amer. Rev. (1853), I. 14. That proper spirit of discipline and subordination, which is the very soul of an army.
1807. J. Barlow, Columb., III. 564. Thro’ the ranks he breathes the soul of war.
1818. Hazlitt, Eng. Poets, ii. (1870), 38. Nature is the soul of art.
1892. Westcott, Gospel of Life, 100. The religious history of the world is the very soul of history.
(b) 1610. Fletcher, Faithf. Sheph., IV. iv. I have been woo’d by many with no less Soul of affection.
1634. Ford, Perkin Warbeck, III. i. Money gives soule to action.
b. An element, principle or trace of something.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., IV. i. 4. There is some soule of goodnesse in things euill.
1862. H. Spencer, First Princ., I. i. § 1 (1875), 3. [There is] a soul of truth in things erroneous.
c. The soul of the world [after L. anima mundi, Gr. ψυχὴ τοῦ κόσμου], the animating principle of the world, according to early philosophers.
c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., cvii. The prophetick soule Of the wide world, dreaming on things to come.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. iv. 215. In like manner he resolved that the Soul of the World … was not made by God out of Nothing neither.
1785. Reid, Intell. Powers, I. i. 23. A tract of Timæus the Locrian … concerning the soul of the world, in which we find the substance of Plato’s doctrine concerning ideas.
d. The essential part or quality of some material thing.
1658. trans. Porta’s Nat. Magick, VII. ii. 192. A Loadstone wrapt up in burning coles … lost its quality of its soul that was gone, namely, its attractive vertue.
1662. J. Davies, trans. Mandelslo’s Trav., 32. This excellent scent … may be called the soul of all Perfume.
1704. Pope, Windsor For., 244. He … With chymic art exalts the min’ral pow’rs, And draws the aromatic souls of flow’rs.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., i. Your Spaniard is too wise a man to send you the very soul of the grape.
1855. Tennyson, Maud, I. XXII. vi. The soul of the rose went into my blood.
1890. W. J. Gordon, Foundry, 71. But ‘the soul of a ship is her engines.’
II. 8. The spiritual part of man considered in its moral aspect or in relation to God and His precepts.
Freq. with implicit reference to the fate of the soul after death, and so partly belonging to sense 9. Cure of souls, see CURE sb.1 4.
α. c. 825. Vesp. Psalter xviii. 8. Æew dryhtnes [is] untelwirðe, ʓecerrende sawle.
c. 830. in Sweet, O. E. Texts, 446. Suilc man sue hit aweʓe, ðonne se hit on his sawale.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 71. Þet lif and saule beon iborȝen.
c. 1200. Ormin, 2921. Swa þatt itt Drihhtin cweme be, & halsumm till hiss sawle.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 15. Ne harmeð hit te nawiht, ne suleð þi sawle.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1568. Al þair luf þai gaue to lust, þai did þair sauls all to rust.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. VI. 199. Secheþ seint treuthe in sauacion of ȝoure saules.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 16. The wrang errouris, the quhilkis tynis mony a saule.
c. 1485. Digby Myst. (1882), IV. 296. Thou knew ther were no remedy to redeym syn, But a bath of þi blude to bath mans saule in.
a. 1509. Hen. VII., in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. I. 44. In all other thyngs that I may knowe should be to youre honour & plesure & weale of youre salle.
c. 1560. A. Scott, Poems, xxxvi. 9. Wesche me, and mak my sawle serene Frome all iniquite.
c. 1615. Sir W. Mure, Misc. Poems, xii. 4. Awalk, my sillie saul, in sin quhich too securely lyes.
1786. Burns, Twa Dogs, 148. Thrang a parliamentin, For Britain’s guid his saul indentin.
β. c. 1220. Bestiary, 118. Leren he sal his nede:… and … tilen him so ðe sowles fode.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 4156. Bi-seke we nu godes miȝt, ðat he make ure sowles briȝt.
c. 1300. Havelok, 1422. But Grim was wis,… Wolde he nouth his soule shende.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 19. Thei prechen ous in audience That noman schal his soule empeire.
1450–80. trans. Secreta Secret., 9. Vndirstondyng is cheef of the governaunce of man and helthe of thi sowle.
1473–5. in Cal. Proc. Chanc. Q. Eliz., II. (1830), Pref. p. lix. That he stode in grete pe[re]ll of his sowle lyke to be dampned.
1508. Fisher, 7 Penit. Ps. vi. Wks. (1876), 7. Makynge this holy psalme wherby he … was restored to his soules helth.
1582. Cdl. Allen, Martyrdom Campion (1908), 35. His going … was only for his soule’s health, to learn to save his soule.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., II. iv. 65. Ile take it as a perill to my soule, It is no sinne at all.
1665. Pepys, Diary, 26 July. I begin to think of setting things in order, which I pray God enable me to put both as to soul and body.
1758. S. Hayward, Serm., Introd. p. xv. Success … crowning our imperfect labours in the conversion of souls.
1760–79. [see SIN-SICK a.].
1818. Scott, Br. Lamm., xi. To hazard my soul in telling lees.
1871. Meredith, H. Richmond, xii. Labour you will in my vessel, for your soul’s health.
9. The spiritual part of man regarded as surviving after death and as susceptible of happiness or misery in a future state.
c. 825. Charter, in Sweet, O. E. Texts, 444. Ðæt mon ʓedele to aelmessan aet ðere tide fore mine sawle & Osuulfes. Ibid. (863), 440. Ic … iow fer godes lufe bidde þet ʓe hit minre sawle nyt ʓedeo.
a. 1067. in Kemble, Cod. Diplom., IV. 206. Ich hit … Gode ʓeuðe mine saule to helpene.
a. 1122. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 675. Ic wile on min dæi hit æcon for here sawle & for minre sawle.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 1092. Ihesus his soule do mercy.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 7591. An abbeye he let rere … uor hor soulen þat þere aslawe were.
a. 1352. Minot, Poems (ed. Hall), v. 88. God assoyle þaire sawls; sais all, Amen.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XX. 346. To pass … On goddis fais, that his travale Micht eftir till his saull avale.
1418. E. E. Wills (1882), 33. Masses to be songe for my saule & for the saules aforsaide.
1488. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., I. 90. To pay … a prest to sing for the Qwenis sawle.
1536. Wriothesley, Chron. (Camden), I. 42. Beseechinge him to have mercye on my sowle.
1606. Dekker, Newes fr. Hell, Wks. (Grosart), II. 142. The soule sees deathes Barge tarrying for her, she begins to be sorrie for her ante-acted euils.
b. In phrases implying the death of a person.
a. 1122. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1012. And his þa haliʓan sawle to Godes rice asende.
c. 1275. Passion our Lord, 482, in O. E. Misc., 51. Vader ich myne soule biteche in þyne honde.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 210. How our leuedi endid and yald Hir sely saul.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, x. (Matthew), 312. Eglippus in til gud elde, to god of hewyne, þe sawle can ȝeld.
a. 1400. Isumbras, 733. My saule I wyte into thy hande, For I kepe to lyffe no mare!
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, II. 175. All weildand God, resawe My petows spreit and sawle.
1516. Test. Ebor. (Surtees), VI. 1. I bequeath my soull to the holie Trinitie.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., II. 130. King Henrie … his saul commendis to God, and his body to the clay.
1819. [see RESIGN v.1 1 d].
10. Used in various asseverative phrases or as an exclamation, as by, for, on or upon (one’s) soul, etc.
The Eng. Dial. Dict. gives a number of similar examples.
a. 1363. Langl., P. Pl., A. VIII. 23. For þei sworen bi heore soule—‘so God hem moste helpe!’
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 781. Now, by my fadres soule, that is deed.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Sept., 248. Now by my soule Diggon, I lament The haplesse mischief, that has thee hent.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 22. By my Vather’s Zoule they semen most of churles not of gentle blood.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Dial. Dead, Wks. 1711, IV. 47. Be mee Shoul, and bee Chreest and St. Patrick.
1761. Foote, Orator, II. Wks. 1799, I. 216. By my shoul but I will spake.
1800. Coleridge, Christabel, II. xxviii. By my mother’s soul do I entreat That thou this woman send away!
1825. Scott, Talism., xvii. Now, by King Henry’s soul! [etc.].
b. c. 1386. Chaucer, Reeve’s T., 343. Thou, Iohn, thou swynesheed, awak For cristes saule.
1728. Ramsay, Monk & Miller’s Wife, 243. Whate’er you see be nought surpriz’d, But for your saul move not your tongue.
1807. Syd. Smith, Lett. Catholics, Wks. 1859, II. 153/1. I cannot for the soul of me conceive whence this man has gained his notions of Christianity.
1826. Disraeli, V. Grey, VI. i. For the soul of ye you wouldn’t know it from the greenest Tokay.
1894. ‘J. S. Winter,’ Red Coats, 63. But for the life and soul of him he could not help thinking about her.
c. c. 1450. Lovelich, Graal, liii. 116. Sire,… vppon Oure sowles þe sothe we scholen ȝow seyne.
1482. Cely Papers (Camden), 106. Thay sayd howr mother schulld go on preschesyon on Corpys Kyrste day … and a my sowyll howr mother whe[nt] at that day.
a. 1510. Douglas, K. Hart, II. 100. Now, on my saule, ȝe ar bot lurdanis all!
1604. Shaks., Oth., V. ii. 181. Vpon my Soule, a Lye; a wicked Lye.
1693. Congreve, Old Bach., II. iii. What ever the Matter is, O my Sol, I’m afraid you’l follow evil Courses.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, XIV. vii. Should any fatal Accident follow, as upon my Soul I am afraid will.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, xxxvi. ‘On my soul,’ said Mowbray, ‘you must mean Solmes!’
1842. S. Lover, Handy Andy, ix. 81. But, ’pon my sowl, the next time I go buy hay I’ll take care that Saint Pether hasn’t any hand in it.
1877. H. Smart, Play or Pay, viii. (1878), 171. ‘Upon my soul,’ rejoined the Hussar, ‘I think’ [etc.].
d. 1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., IV. i. 44. Sir, as I haue a Soule, she is an Angell.
1760–1. Smollett, Launcelot Greaves, I. v. As I’m a precious saoul, a looks as if a saw something.
e. 1796. R. Gall, Elegy on Pudding Lizzie, viii. Saul! how it sharpen’d ilka ane.
1818. Scott, Br. Lamm., iii. Saul, your honour, and that I am.
1845. Disraeli, Sybil (1863), 72. Soul alive, but those … are rotten, snickey, bad yarns.
1896. ‘Ian Maclaren,’ Kate Carnegie, 282. But sall, she focht her battle weel.
III. 11. The disembodied spirit of a (deceased) person, regarded as a separate entity, and as invested with some amount of form and personality.
a. With poss. pron. or gen., or implying this.
971. Blickl. Hom., 211. Uton nu biddan Sanctus Michael … þæt he ure saula ʓelæde on ʓefean.
c. 1050. O. E. Chron. (MS. C), an. 1036. Syððan hine man byriʓde,… on þam suð portice, seo saul is mid Criste.
c. 1205. Lay., 29634. Heofne is þe al ȝaru, þider scal þi saulen uaren.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 4136. His bodi was biried wið angeles hond,… In to lef reste his sowle wond.
c. 1300. Havelok, 245. Þat God self shulde his soule leden Into heuene.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 2493, Phyllis. The deuyl sette here soules bothe a fere.
c. 1420. in 26 Pol. Poems, 108. Contrary to godis hest Þou purchasest þy saule helle prisoun.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, II. iv. (1883), 52. They lyue in her sowles gloriously that ben slain … for the comyn wele.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 115 b. It was beleved certenly that dead mens soules dyd walke after they were buried.
1599. Alex. Hume, Hymns, i. 131. Then sall my singing saull reioyce, And flee aboue the skie.
1615. G. Sandys, Trav., 266. Saint German … here found the soule of Pascasus tormented with heate.
1833. Tennyson, May Queen, III. xi. I know The blessed music went that way my soul will have to go.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 343. Another world in which the souls of the dead are gathered together.
b. With a, the, and in pl.
971. Blickl. Hom., 67. Mycelne bite Drihten dyde on helle þa he þyder astaʓ,… & þa halʓan sauwla þonon alædde. Ibid., 209. On ðæm clife hangodan … maniʓe swearte saula be heora handum ʓebundne.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 115. Þo folȝede ure helende michel feord of englen and of holie soules.
c. 1275. Passion our Lord, 682, in O. E. Misc., 56. Þe veond of helle hedde muchel onde Vor hi by-nomen him saulen.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 9184. Payens & Cristen, many were slawen, & many a sowle fro body drawen.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 510. A chaunterie for soules.
c. 1430. Compend. Old Treat., in Roy, Rede me (Arb.), 180. They be cowntable of as many sowlys as dyen in thys default.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XVI. xiii. 681. Thenne oure lord Ihesus Cryste shewed hym vnto yow in the lykenes of a sowle that suffred grete anguysshe.
1513. Douglas, Æneid, VI. xi. 3. Sawlis … quhilkis wer for to wend To mydle erd, and thair in bodeis ascend.
1596. R. H., trans. Lavaterus’s Ghostes & Spir., 61. With whome the same soule meeting as it did before, lamented very much.
1616. J. Lane, Contn. Sqr.’s T., IV. 46, note. And in her glasse, white soles ascendinge, spied the narrowe waie to theire Lord glorified.
1683. Norris, Plato’s Two Cupids, iv. Misc. (1687), 88. So Devils and damned Souls in hell Fry in the fire with which they dwell.
1750. Gray, Elegy, 89. On some fond breast the parting soul relies.
1812. Byron, Ch. Har., II. viii. If … there be A land of souls beyond that sable shore.
1899. Daily News, 17 April, 4/3. The idea was that the soul was a little bloodless, fleshless thing.
c. local. (See quots., and cf. ghost-moth.)
1851. N. & Q., 1st Ser. III. 220. The country-people used to in my youth … call night-flying white moths, especially the Hepialus humuli,… ‘souls.’
1861. All Year Round, 1 June, 234. To this day, in the north and west of England, the moths that fly into candles are called Saules.
12. A person, an individual; † a living thing. Chiefly in enumeration, or with every.
[c. 1000. Ælfric, Gen. ii. 7. And se man wæs ʓeworht on libbendre sawle.]
c. 1320. Cast. Love, 448. Nis þer nout in world … Þat nis destrued … But eiȝte soulen þt weren i-ȝemed In þe schup.
c. 1381. Chaucer, Parl. Foules, 33. Erthe and soulis that thereon dwelle.
1535. Coverdale, Lev. xi. 46. All maner of soules yt crepe vpon earth.
c. 1550. [? G. Walker], Detect. Dice-Play, D iv. He wilbe your cuntry man at least, & peraduenture either of kinne or aly, or some soule sib vnto you.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., II. 52. Below the middle part, there was but one body, and aboue the middle there was two liuing soules, each one separated from another.
1672. Petty, Pol. Anat. (1691), 18. The number of British slain in 11 years was 112 thousand Souls.
1724. Briton, No. 24. 104. We have now pretty accurately ascertain’d the Number of Souls … existing in England.
1776. Earl Carlisle, in Jesse, Selwyn & Contemp. (1844), III. 158. Not the worse for having levanted every soul at Newmarket.
1819. Byron, Juan, II. lxi. Nine souls more went in her: the long-boat still Kept above water.
1861. M. Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 38. The frail craft capsized, and Hartmann, with nearly every soul on board, went down in her.
1894. Ld. Wolseley, Life Marlborough, I. 245. There were about three hundred souls on board.
b. In negative phrases, esp. not a soul.
1610. Shaks., Temp., I. ii. 209. Not a soule But felt a Feauer.
1759. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, II. v. When you are predetermined to take no one soul’s advice.
1775. Mme. D’Arblay, Early Diary, Lett., 10 June. We had not a soul beyond our own family.
1811. Shelley, in Hogg, Life (1858), I. 391. I am what the sailors call banyaning. I do not see a soul; all is gloomy and desolate.
1857. W. Collins, Dead Secret, III. i. He allowed no living soul … to enter the house.
1897. A. Morrison, Dorrington Deed-box, i. I shall be all alone, without a soul to say a word to.
c. dial. Used in the pl. as a form of address: Friends, fellows.
1874. T. Hardy, Far fr. Mad. Crowd, lvii. Come in, souls, and have something to eat and drink.
1892. ‘Q.’ (Quiller-Couch), Three Ships, ii. Well, souls, we was a bit tiddly-winky last Michaelmas.
13. Used with defining adj. to denote a person of a particular character or in respect of some quality; freq. with a touch of contempt, compassion or familiarity.
Common in the 16th and 17th centuries.
1519. North Co. Wills (Surtees), 105. Euery yere … to give xd. to x poore soulles.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. V., 60 b. Innumerable sely solles dayly died and hourely starued.
1602. Marston, Antonio’s Rev., V. v. K 1 b. Call Iulio hither; where’s the little sowle? I sawe him not to day.
1665. Extr. Sel. P. rel. Friends (1912), III. 247. The honest Soules … ar much aflicted to be reuiled … by the bold faction.
1806. J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life, VII. xix. Paying a long visit at the retired house of a well meaning Soul.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Loom & Lugger, I. v. It was very well the poor soul had not had a long illness.
1874. Burnand, My Time, i. 3. Nurse Davis, the kindest soul in the world, and very fond of my mother.
b. Used parenthetically, or with like.
1572. Satir. Poems Reform., xxxi. 112. Sillie saulis, thay ar sa daft.
1594. Kyd, Cornelia, V. 63. He made his Pyoners (poore weary soules) … to dig … new Trenches.
1663. S. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., xx. (1687), 200. Poor Soul! who puts us upon doing … but knows not what it is to believe.
1782. Cowper, Gilpin, 65. Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found.
1811. C. K. Sharpe, Lett., Corr. 1888, I. 493. For his errors, poor soul! were venial.
1850. Kingsley, A. Locke (1876), I. 7. She would have stuffed my ears with cotton, kind careful soul.
1870. Dickens, E. Drood, i. Ye’ll remember like a good soul.
c. With more distinct implication of sense 2 or 3.
1635. Quarles, Embl., II. v. What mean dull souls, in this high measure, To haberdash In earth’s base wares.
1685. Gracian’s Courtier’s Orac., 154. The least atome of baseness is inconsistent with the generosity of great Souls.
1721. Ramsay, Prospect of Plenty, 129. Active sauls a stagnant life despise.
1741–2. Gray, Agrippina, 126. Rough, stubborn souls, That struggle with the yoke.
1841–4. Emerson, Ess., History, Wks. (Bohn), I. 7. It has been said, that ‘common souls pay with what they do—nobler souls with that which they are.’
1871. Morley, Carlyle, in Crit. Misc., Ser. I. 215. It was not science for headlong and impatient souls.
14. In pregnant use: † a. (See quot.) Obs.–0
1699. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, He is a Soul, or loves Brandy.
b. One in whom the spiritual or intellectual qualities predominate. rare.
1814. Byron, Diary, 19 Feb. Just returned from seeing Kean in Richard. By Jove, he is a soul!
1895. Daily News, 9 Dec., 7/1. Brought up by such a mother, the Lady Marcella naturally became something of a Soul.
IV. In various special or technical uses.
15. (See later quots.) Now dial.
1530. Palsgr., 273/1. Soule of a capon or gose, ame.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Molleja, the tender parte in any birde, which in a goose we call the soule, Præcordia.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1860), II. I. i. 5/2. Their lungs, which are commonly called the sole, stick fast to the sides of the ribs and back.
1876. Mrs. G. L. Banks, Manchester Man, III. xiii. 242. One of his favourite tid-bits was that spongy lining of a goose’s frame known as the soul.
† 16. The bore of a cannon (see quot. 1571).
So F. l’âme d’un canon.
1571. Digges, Pantom. (1591), 176. Forasmuch as by the direction of the hollowe Cylinder … of the Peece, the violence of all shot of great Artillerye is not onely directed but also increased I call that hollowe Cylinder of the Peece her Soule.
1626. Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Sea-men, 32. Particuler … tearmes for great Ordnances, as the concaue, trunke, cylinder, the soule or bore of a peece.
1669. Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., V. xii. 62. I find … the soule or bore to be 1 inch out of his place.
17. The sound-post of a violin.
1838. Penny Mag., 30 June, 246/2. This peg is called the sounding-post, or, as the French term it, the soul of the violin.
1864. Brewer, Sound, 145. The object of this prop, called the sound-post or ‘soul’ of the violin, is … to make the face and back vibrate in exact unison.
1868. Airy, Sound, 167.
V. attrib. and Comb.
18. Genitive combs.: † a. With forms representing the OE. gen. sing. sáwle, as soul-boot, food, leech, etc. See also SOUL-HEAL, -HEALTH.
Also with gen. pl. saulene for OE. sáwla.
c. 1200. Ormin, 10194. Hefennlike mahhte, Þatt mihhte turrnenn swillke menn To sekenn *sawlebote.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 27. Godes word þat is þe *sowle fode.
c. 1275. Serving Christ, 41, in O. E. Misc., 91. We wyþ sunnes geleþ saulene fode.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter cvi. 10. In nede of saule fode.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 182. Þus is sicnesse *soule leche.
1375. in Horstmann, Altengl. Leg. (1878), 138/2. Praye we … Þat god … Be his soule leche.
1411. 26 Pol. Poems, 42. I … Bycom a man to be ȝoure soule leche.
c. 1200. Ormin, 12621. To lokenn whatt itt tæcheþþ uss Off ure *sawle nede.
13[?]. Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS., xxxvii. 733. He … seiþ hit is þe *soule note Þat be prest seiþ and doþ.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, vi. (Thomas), 490. Ve suld set our maste delyte In goddis vord fore *sawle profyte.
c. 1470. Golagros & Gaw., 269. Be the pilgramage compleit I pas for *saull prow.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 4440. His lordes *soule salue he from hym hydith.
c. 1200. Ormin, Pref. 102. Icc wile shæwenn ȝuw Hu mikell *sawle sellþe … unnderrfoþ … all þatt lede.
13[?]. Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS., xxxvii. 781. Al þat þe bodi lykeþ wel Is aȝeyn þe *soule wille.
b. With the form soul’s, as soul’s-city, -darling, friend.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s Tears, Wks. (Grosart), IV. 157. He … cannot chuse but haue his soules-cittie soone raced.
1605. 1st Pt. Jeronimo, I. ii. 65. Adew, soules friend.
1874. Lisle Carr, Jud. Gwynne, I. vi. 182. An always erring and very faulty soul’s-darling.
19. Simple attrib., as soul-affair, -blood, † -case, concern)ment, etc.
The number of attributive uses is very large, and in this and the following groups only a few of the older or more important are illustrated.
1672. O. Heywood, Diaries (1883), III. 198. He … was very stupid about *soul-affaires.
1629. Donne, Serm., cix. Wks. 1839, IV. 492. Adam is but … red earth, earth dyed red in blood, in *soul-blood.
1848. Bailey, Festus (ed. 3), 41. It [corruption] is in Your soul-blood and your soul-bones.
1699. O. Heywood, Diaries (1885), IV. 195. Elizabeth Sonier came to discourse with me in *soul-cases.
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 393. The Cures (attempted) by a … ranckerous Spirit, are wounds in this *Soule-chirurgery.
1742–3. Observ. upon Methodists, 23. I hear some are under *Soul concern.
1675. O. Heywood, Diaries (1883), III. 165. I talk with them about *soul-concernments.
1619. W. Y., To Rdr., in Hieron’s Wks., II. 424. Gods gracious preseruing from *soule-destruction.
1617. Hieron, Ibid. 191. One fit of *soule-disturbance will make all those kinds of gladnesse to flee away like a dreame.
1645. Rutherford, Tryal & Tri. Faith (1845), 93. Christ promiseth *Soul-ease.
1646. Jenkyn, Remora, 13. Are your heartiest, your *soul-endeavours set upon Reformation?
1726. Wodrow, Corr. (1843), III. 239. Besides much spiritual *soul exercise, it contained many valuable hints at facts.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., xlii. The Cameronians … boasted frequently of Burley’s soul-exercises.
a. 1638. Mede, Wks. (1672), 631. This order of Dæmons, or *Soul-gods, as I may call them.
1654. Gataker, Disc. Apol., 75. Because he would not dissolv the *soul-harmonie of weak persons.
1645. Rutherford, Tryal & Tri. Faith (1845), 260. That death, that *soul-hell in the want of Christ was a heaven.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Paradox agst. Libertie, 1089, Wks. (Grosart), II. 65. In *soule idlenesse, to spend so large a time.
1677. J. Elliot, in Birch, Life of Boyle, Wks. 1772, I. p. xxvi. The Lord’s work of *soul-instruction and edification.
1662. Hibbert, Body Divinity, I. 127. *Soul-light is not enough to make us truly wise.
c. 1620. J. Davies (Heref.), Commendatory Poems, Sylvester, Wks. (Grosart), II. 15/1. Here is stor’d such sweet *Soule-ravishments.
1689. Mem. Rokeby (Surtees), 12. A sister that … has rec[eive]d … much *soule-refreshment.
1581. Allen, Apologie, 9 b. *Soul rightes (without which men perish doubtlesse euerlastingly).
1657. F. Cockin, Div. Blossomes, 12. That which unto *Soul-safety much doth tend.
1648. Gage, West Ind., iv. 14. That occasion of some *soul-sanctification.
1641. Ld. Brooke, On Episc., 97. They have come to cutting off Eares, Cheeks, and have yet struck deeper, and essayed many *Soule-Schismes.
1646. Trapp, Comm. John xiii. 25. John…, who knew Christ’s *soul-secrets.
1883. Jefferies, Story of my Heart, 49. The circumambient ether … is full of soul-secrets.
1656. E. Reyner, Rules Govt. Tongue, 269. Some … have drunk very deep of the cup of *soul-troubles.
1690. C. Nesse, Hist. O. & N. Test., I. 142. Idolizing the Virgin Mary…, equalling her milk unto Christs blood for *soul vertue.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Mem. Mortalitie, lxxxi. Wks. (Grosart), II. 227. Mock-Saints, whose *Soul-weal on your Works you lay.
1668. R. Steele, Husbandm. Call., v. (1672), 85. *Soul-work never goes on, unless we have a mind to work.
1834. K. H. Digby, Mores Cath., V. iv. 109. It was the reflection of God. It was the invisible world, the *soul world.
1600. W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 268. Respecting the danger of *soule-wracke.
20. With the names of persons, etc. (chiefly agent-nouns), as soul brother, carrier, -curer, etc.
1742–3. Observ. upon Methodists, 18. Our glorious *Soul brother had it revealed to him in Spirit [etc.].
1553. Becon, Jewel of Joy, Pref. The mumbling masses of those lasy *soule cariers.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., III. i. 100. *Soule-Curer, and Body-Curer.
1825. W. Cobbett, Rur. Rides (1885), II. 88. There is no parsonage house for a soul-curer to stay in.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulgar T., *Soul doctor,… a parson.
1880. W. Newton, in Serm. Boys & Girls (1881), 148. The Pharisees called themselves teachers or soul-doctors.
1699. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, *Soul-driver, a Parson.
1682. Bunyan, Gtness. of Soul, Wks. (Offor), I. 142. This is a *soul-fool, a fool of the biggest size.
1656. E. Reyner, Rules Govt. Tongue, 203. Receive Reprovers as the Angels of God, as our *soul-friends.
1382. Wyclif, Gen. iii. 14. Thow shalt be cursid among alle the *soule hauers and beestis of the erthe.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxvii. (Machor), 1457. All þe folk of þat cyte … to sanct morise but mare ar went, & hyme as fadire & *saule-hyrd Resauit sone.
1682. Bunyan, Gtness. of Soul, Wks. (Offor), I. 140. Every mouth shall be stopped, and all the world (of *soul losers) become guilty before God.
1822. Coleridge, Lett., Convers., etc. II. 89. You must have a *Soulmate as well as a House or Yoke-mate.
1812. G. Colman, Br. Grins, Two Parsons, xiv. Great Britain’s principal *Soul-mender Liveth at Lambeth Palace.
1650. Trapp, Comm. Deut. xxiv. 7. Of which sort of *soul-merchants, there are now-a-dayes found not a few.
1530. Tindale, Wks. (Parker Soc.), 437. If he minister it not truly and freely unto us,… he is a thief and a *soul-murderer.
1825. Scott, Talism., xxviii. ‘Oh, procrastination!’ exclaimed the Hermit, ‘thou art a soul-murderer!’
1854. Faber, Growth in Holiness (1872), xxii. 430. The Church is a living *soul-saver.
1540. Coverdale, Fruitful Less., iii. Wks. (Parker Soc.), I. 357. Therefore are many curates and *soul-shepherds so faint and cold to preach … Christ.
1682. Bunyan, Gtness. of Soul, Wks. (Offor), I. 143. Choose for thyself good soul-shepherds.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s Tears, Wks. (Grosart), IV. 120. I deale more searchingly then common *soule-surgions accustome.
21. With vbl. sbs., as soul-craving, -feasting, humbling, etc.
1602. J. Davies (Heref.), Mirum in Modum, Wks. (Grosart), I. 11/1. The Spirit of Man … Should not, to such Soule-swillings base decline.
c. 1670. O. Heywood, Diaries (1881), II. 341. This fasting is soul-feasting. Ibid. (1685), (1885), IV. 113. How many sweet sabboths,… how many soul-humblings.
1818. Bentham, Church-of-Englandism, 329. The … maintenance of this corrupt system … on pretence of souls-saving.
1875. McLean, Gospel in Psalms, 203. The wonder should not deprive us of … the soul-heartening.
1891. The Tablet, 7 Nov., 743. Christ by a few words of teaching filled the soul-craving of multitudes.
22. With pres. pples. forming objective combs., as soul-adorning, -amazing, -boiling, etc., adjs.
The number of these is very great, esp. in the works of John Davies of Hereford and J. Beaumont, who have soul-afflicting, -attracting, -blinding, -catching, -cheering, -commanding, -conquering, etc.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Panaretus, 839. Of all *Soule-adorning Giftes divine,… the Monarchie is Mine.
1688. Bunyan, Heavenly Footman (1886), 139. What a *soul-amazing word will that be.
1606. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. II. Magnificence, 19. Here in Sonnets, there in Epigrams, Evaporate your sweet *Soule-boyling Flames.
1612. J. Davies (Heref.), Muse’s Sacrifice, Ep. Ded. Shapers, and Soules of all *Soule-charming Rimes!
1600. Tourneur, Transf. Metam., x. 68. T’enrich her coffers with *soule-choaking dust.
1591. Shaks., Two Gentl., II. vi. 16. Twenty thousand *soule-confirming oathes.
1601. G. Markham, Mary Magd. Lam., Pref. 19. Yea, *soule-confounding sinne so far hath crept.
1609. J. Davies (Heref.), Holy Rood, Wks. (Grosart), I. 9/2. T’was time to turne His *Soule conuerting Eies To thee peruerted Peter.
1868. J. H. Newman, Verses Var. Occas., 125. So we her flame must trim, Around His soul-converting sign.
1659. D. Pell, Impr. Sea, 76, note. *Soul-corrupting discourse.
1837. Syd. Smith, Serm. Duties Queen, Wks. 1859, II. 253/1. For all the soul-corrupting homage with which she is met.
a. 1708. Beveridge, Thes. Theol. (1711), III. 347. Drunkenness … is a *soul-damning sin.
a. 1626. J. Davies (Heref.), Sonn. Sir E. Dyer, Wks. (Grosart), I. 100/1. Minerua and the Muse ioyes my Soule’s sence, Sith *Soule-delighting lines they multiplie.
1677. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, III. 64. The Devil, their great Apollo or *Soul-destroying God.
1865. Tylor, Early Hist. Man., vii. 159. Graving on a folded tablet many soul-destroying things.
1642–4. Vicars, God in Mount, 45. The *soul-devouring corruptions of these Clergy-caterpillers.
1898. W. Graham, Last Links, 116. Those eyes fixed with an earnest, soul-devouring gaze upon his companion.
1748. Thomson, Cast. Indol., I. xxxix. Aerial music … breathed such *soul-dissolving airs, As did [etc.].
1603. J. Davies (Heref.), Microcosmos, Pref. 5. O that I had a *Soule-enchanting Tongue.
1680. Reyner, Serm. Funeral Ld. Holles, 20. He was careful therefore to store his mind with all *soul-ennobling vertues.
1868. J. H. Newman, Verses Var. Occas., 37. This their soul-ennobling gain.
1647. Trapp, Comm. 1 Cor. vii. 5. Fasting-days are *soul-fatting days.
1595. Shaks., John, II. i. 383. Their *soule-fearing clamours haue braul’d downe The flintie ribbes of this contemptuous Citie.
1600. Tourneur, Transf. Metam., viii. 54. *Soule-frighting horrors.
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, VIII. cxiii. (1702), 112. *Soul-knawing Worms.
1848. Buckley, Iliad, 127. To fight with the strength of soul-gnawing strife.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa, VI. 165. Thy *soul-harrowing intelligence.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s Tears, Wks. (Grosart), IV. 225. A *soule imitating deuill.
1590. Shaks., Com. Err., I. ii. 100. *Soule-killing Witches, that deforme the bodie.
1866. S. B. James, Duty & Doctrine (1871), 94. This habit is so enervating, so soulkilling.
1690. C. Nesse, Hist. O. & N. Test., I. 24. Man should be … a life-loving creature,… also a *soul-loving creature.
a. 1721. Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.), Wks. (1753), I. 87. No writing lifts exalted man so high, As sacred and *soul-moving poesy.
1816. Wordsw., ‘Imagination—ne’er before content,’ 68. The deep soul-moving sense Of religious eloquence.
1690. C. Nesse, Hist. O. & N. Test., I. 137. I shall one day perish by the hand of those *soul-murthering Sauls.
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, VIII. xxxvi. (1702), 108. This noble Face; by whose *soul-piercing raies The Gentiles … Admonish’d are to … tread the open paths of highnoon Light.
1870. J. H. Newman, Grammar of Assent, II. x. 386. That fearful antagonism brought out with such soul-piercing reality by Lucretius.
1601. Weever, Mirr. Mart. (Roxb.), 203. My crownd, *soule-pleasing, sweet joy, mirth and plesure.
1697. Congreve, Mourn. Bride, III. vi. That *soul-racking Thought.
1809–10. Shelley, ‘Oh! take the pure gem,’ 18. Long visions of soul-racking pain.
1650. Baxter, Saints’ R., 716. These spiritual, excellent, *soul-raising duties.
1613–6. W. Browne, Brit. Past., II. lii. All-loved Draiton in *soul-raping straines, A genuine noat … Began to tune.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Tetrastica, lxxii. The Charm Of those *soule-rapting Impes of Acheloes.
1603. J. Davies (Heref.), An Extasie, Wks. (Grosart), I. 91/1. Maie-bowes … Where out shal breath *soule-ravishing perfume.
1673. Hickeringill, Greg. F. Greyb., 264. Those soul-ravishing opportunities.
1728. Eliza Heywood, trans. Mme. de Gomez’s Belle A. (1732), II. 193–4. With what *soul-rending Agonies was it, that [etc.].
1657. F. Cockin, Div. Blossomes, 48. So sweet, so clean, So *Soul-reviving.
1833. H. Blunt, Lect. Hist. St. Paul, II. 55. Those waters of life … so soul-reviving and soul-strengthening.
a. 1708. Beveridge, Thes. Theol. (1711), III. 7. Rejoice in Him … as a *soul-satisfying God in Himself.
1731. A. Hill, Advice to Poets, xi. *Soul-shaking Sovereigns of the Passions.
1688. Bunyan, Jerus. Sinner Saved (1886), 124. Unreasonable and *soul-sinking doubts.
1609. J. Davies (Heref.), Holy Rood, Wks. (Grosart), I. 10/1. *Soule-slaying Schismaticke, nor God, nor Man.
1834. Tait’s Mag., I. 173/2. David—honest, upright, amiable, patriotic, virtuous, and *soul-stirring David!
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, XVIII. cxl. (1702), 278.
| Whilst yet with Charis’s *soulsubduing heat | |
| Her melted and convicted heart did beat. |
1892. W. S. Lilly, Gt. Enigma, 303. That heart-bewildering soul-subduing problem of evil.
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. vii. 333. Th’ ill humours That vex his most-Saints with *soul-tainting tumours.
1616. Drumm. of Hawth., Flowers of Sion (1630), 29. A Sanctuarie from *Soule-thralling Snares.
1598. J. Dickenson, Greene in Conc. (1878), 104. A sequell of many sorrowes, a Centurie of *sowltyring passions.
a. 1634. Chapman, Rev. for Honour, II. i. 268. To feed the irregular flames of false suspicions And *soul-tormenting jealousies.
1606. J. Davies (Heref.), Speculum Proditori, Wks. (Grosart), II. 20/1. None but *soule-wounding words for it are meete.
1703. Quick, Serious Inquiry, 27. These Heart-cutting, Soul-wounding Accidents.
23. With pa. pples., as soul-benumbed, -blinded, -born, -felt, etc.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s Tears, Wks. (Grosart), IV. 173. Others there be of these *soule-benummed Atheists.
1612. Drayton, Poly-olb., vi. 303. *Soul-blinded sots that creep In dirt.
1797. T. Park, Sonn., 47. Every *soul-born rapture felt That flows from love sincere.
a. 1635. Sibbes, Confer. Christ & Mary, Pref. (1656), 3. A discourse … between a *soul-burthened sinner, and a burthen-removing Saviour.
1617. Sir W. Mure, Misc. Poems, xxi. 25. Whome snakie hatred, *soule conceav’d disdaine,… Did long in long antipathie detaine.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. x. 24. Patience … comming to that *soule-diseased knight, Could hardly him intreat, to tell his griefe.
1798. Sotheby, trans. Wieland’s Oberon (1826), II. 62. A *soul-felt glance of heavenly joy.
1764. Churchill, Candidate, 144. Let no … *soul-gall’d Bishop damn me with a note.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, i. Ah, paint her form, her *soul-illumined eyes.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s Tears, Ep. Ded. Were it effectually recured, in my *soule-infused lines.
1603. J. Davies (Heref.), Microcosmos, Wks. (Grosart), I. 14/2. Ladies, and Lords, purse-pinched, and *Soule-pain’d.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., X. 435. The *soule-sunke sorrow of godlesse Epicures and Hypocrites.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., V. i. 58. One worse [wife] … would make her Sainted Spirit Againe possesse her Corps, and on this Stage … appeare *Soule-vext.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Little Bartas, 960, Wks. (Grosart), II. 93. How many sin-sick did hee inly cure; And deep *soule-wounded binde-up, and assure!
24. With adjs., as soul-blind, -deep, -hydroptic, etc.
1600. Tourneur, Transf. Metam., xxxviii. 261. Th’ exordium of ech soule-sweet argument.
1616. R. Niccols, Overbury’s Vision (Hunterian Club), 51. Those soule-blind men, whom they doe most betray.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Paradox agst. Libertie, Wks. (Grosart), II. 56/1. That good … wch soul-wise man must seek.
1704. Norris, Ideal World, II. xii. 479. It hence follows that this … immutable truth be the only soul-perfective truth.
1842. Cdl. Wiseman, Prayer & Prayer-Bks., Ess. 1853, I. 379. Everything is heart-felt, soul-deep.
1855. Browning, Grammar. Funeral, 95. He (soul-hydroptic with a sacred thirst).
1888. R. Buchanan, City of Dream, VIII. 161. Then die! soul-sure thou hast not lived in vain.
25. Special combs., as † soul-ale, an ale-drinking at the funeral of a person; a dirge ale; soul-cake, a specially prepared cake or bun distributed in various northern or north-midland counties on All Souls’ Day, esp. to parties of children who go ‘souling’; soul-candle, ? one of several candles placed about the coffin at a funeral service; † soul-case slang, the body; † soul chaplain, = soul-priest; † soul-charm a., soul-charming; soul-friend (see quots.); soul-house, a model or representation of a house placed by the ancient Egyptians in a tomb to receive the soul of a dead person; soul-pence, -pennies, money subscribed by the members of a guild to pay for soul-masses; † soul-priest, a priest having the special function of praying for the souls of the dead; soul-silver, SOUL-SCOT; † soul-sleeper, one who holds the doctrine of psychopannychism; a psychopannychite.
1577. Harrison, Descr. Eng., II. i. (1877), I. 32. The superfluous numbers of idle waks,… church-ales, helpe-ales, and *soule-ales, called also dirge-ales,… are well diminished.
1686–7. Aubrey, Remains (1881), 23. There is an old Rhythm or saying, A *Soule-cake, a Soule-cake, Have mercy on all Christen soules for a Soule-cake.
1896. P. H. Ditchfield, Old Eng. Customs, 167. On All Souls’ Day … it is still customary for children to go ‘a-souling,’ and soul-cakes are still offered and eaten in Shropshire on this day.
1389. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 184. [Four] *saulecandels [shall be found, and used in the burial services].
1796. Grose’s Dict. Vulgar T. (ed. 3), s.v., ‘He made a hole in his *soul case,’ he wounded him.
1550. Bale, Eng. Votaries, II. C iv g. In a winter night a *soule chaplaine of the court laye with her.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. ii. II. Babylon, 560. The *soule-charm Image of sweet Eloquence.
1891. The Month, LXXIII. 221. He was the Generalissimo’s … *‘soul-friend,’ as a confessor is called in Irish [= Ir. anam-chara].
1896. Westm. Gaz., 5 March, 3/2. An old priest … tried … to play the ‘soul-friend’ to the bandit.
1907. Petrie, Gizeh & Rifeh, vi. 14/2. The depth of grave below the *soul-house is inversely as the height of soil above it.
1870. Toulmin Smith, Eng. Gilds, 181. That *soul-pence will be paid by the bretheren. Ibid. For collecting the *soul-pennies from the bretheren.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Poge, xii. Are ye here a *sowle preest or a paryssh preste?
1577. Fulke, Confut. Purg., 172. The dead arose…, threatning him, that he should dye for it, if he did not restore them their soulepriest.
1606. Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot., 646/2. Advocationem … capellaniarum vulgo lie Saull-preistis … infra ecclesiam collegiatam de Dumbar.
1355–6. Abingdon Rolls (Camden), 5. De *soule-seluer vjs. viijd.
1645. Pagitt, Heresiogr. (ed. 2), 139. *Soule-Sleepers. That the soule dyeth with the body is an old and despicable Heresie.
1727. De Foe, Hist. Appar., v. (1840), 45. I am none of the sect of soul-sleepers.
Hence Soulhood, Soulship, the condition or state of being a soul; soulful quality.
1882. H. C. Merivale, Faucit of B., II. I. xix. 40. Many of these leaden caskets may carry yet, locked within them, some rough gem of Christian soulhood.
1893. Advance (Chicago), 15 June. Of the modification of the sinless perfection of Christ, of his ethical soulship.
Soul, obs. f. SOLE sb.1 and a., SOWEL (stake); variant of SOWL sb.
