soul: [OE] Behind the word soul lies the ancient notion of the soul as something fleeting or mercurial. For its prehistoric Germanic ancestor, *saiwalō, was related to Greek aiólos ‘quickmoving’. Its modern Germanic cousins include German seele, Dutch ziel, Swedish själ, and Danish sjæl.
soul (n.1)
"A substantial entity believed to be that in each person which lives, feels, thinks and wills" [Century Dictionary], Old English sawol "spiritual and emotional part of a person, animate existence; life, living being," from Proto-Germanic *saiwalo (cognates: Old Saxon seola, Old Norse sala, Old Frisian sele, Middle Dutch siele, Dutch ziel, Old High German seula, German Seele, Gothic saiwala), of uncertain origin.
Sometimes said to mean originally "coming from or belonging to the sea," because that was supposed to be the stopping place of the soul before birth or after death [Barnhart]; if so, it would be from Proto-Germanic *saiwaz (see sea). Klein explains this as "from the lake," as a dwelling-place of souls in ancient northern Europe.
Meaning "spirit of a deceased person" is attested in Old English from 971. As a synonym for "person, individual, human being" (as in every living soul) it dates from early 14c. Soul-searching (n.) is attested from 1871, from the phrase used as a past participle adjective (1610s). Distinguishing soul from spirit is a matter best left to theologians.
soul (n.2)
"instinctive quality felt by black persons as an attribute," 1946, jazz slang, from soul (n.1). Also from this sense are soul brother (1957), soul sister (1967), soul food (1957), etc. Soul music, essentially gospel music with "girl," etc., in place of "Jesus," first attested 1961; William James used the term in 1900, in a spiritual/romantic sense, but in reference to inner music.
双语例句
1. The Greeks accepted belief in the immortality of the soul.
希腊人相信灵魂不灭。
来自柯林斯例句
2. He ignores the traditional Christian dualism between body and soul.
他无视传统基督教的肉体与灵魂的二元论。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The group perform variations on soul and gospel music.
这个乐队演奏灵歌和福音音乐的变奏曲。
来自柯林斯例句
4. "I will put my heart and soul into the job," he promises.
“我会全身心投入到工作中去，”他保证说。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Believing yourself to be in the wrong job can be soul-destroying.