spirituality

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the quality of being concerned with the human spirit, soul, or sacred experience rather than only with material things

   Her spirituality found expression in quiet reflection rather than formal worship.

2. 2
   noun

   historical or ecclesiastical: property, income, or authority belonging to a church or its clergy

   The medieval dispute concerned whether the crown could tax the spirituality of the church.

From Middle French spiritualite and Late Latin spiritualitas, from Latin spiritualis, 'of breathing or spirit,' ultimately from spiritus, 'breath, spirit.' The word first had ecclesiastical senses concerning church authority and property, then broadened to inward religious or nonmaterial experience.

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