spiritsomeadj.
/ˈspɪrᵻts(ə)m/, U.S. /ˈspɪrətsəm/ rare.
Spirit-like, that resembles a spirit, esp. in being insubstantial or ephemeral.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > [adjective] > of the nature of
spiritsome1876
1876 A. D. Whitney Sights & Insights I. vi. 81 Faint points and shapes, looming larger, bluer, surer,—but always so soft, so spiritsome!
1939 Proc. Amer. Gas Assoc. 49/2 The gas flame, veritably is a ‘spiritsome’ thing, resting lightly upon a minute flowing quantity of the nigh weightless, bodyless substance, gas.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1876