Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Soul \Soul\, n. [OE. soule, saule, AS. s[=a]wel, s[=a]wl; akin
   to OFries. s?le, OS. s?ola, D. ziel, G. seele, OHG. s?la,
   s?ula, Icel. s[=a]la, Sw. sj["a]l, Dan. si[ae]l, Goth.
   saiwala; of uncertain origin, perhaps akin to L. saeculum a
   lifetime, age (cf. {Secular}.)]
   1. The spiritual, rational, and immortal part in man; that
      part of man which enables him to think, and which renders
      him a subject of moral government; -- sometimes, in
      distinction from the higher nature, or spirit, of man, the
      so-called animal soul, that is, the seat of life, the
      sensitive affections and phantasy, exclusive of the
      voluntary and rational powers; -- sometimes, in
      distinction from the mind, the moral and emotional part of
      man's nature, the seat of feeling, in distinction from
      intellect; -- sometimes, the intellect only; the
      understanding; the seat of knowledge, as distinguished
      from feeling. In a more general sense, ``an animating,
      separable, surviving entity, the vehicle of individual
      personal existence.'' --Tylor.

            The eyes of our souls only then begin to see, when
            our bodily eyes are closing.          --Law.

   2. The seat of real life or vitality; the source of action;
      the animating or essential part. ``The hidden soul of
      harmony.'' --Milton.

            Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul.
                                                  --Milton.

   3. The leader; the inspirer; the moving spirit; the heart;
      as, the soul of an enterprise; an able general is the soul
      of his army.

            He is the very soul of bounty!        --Shak.

   4. Energy; courage; spirit; fervor; affection, or any other
      noble manifestation of the heart or moral nature; inherent
      power or goodness.

            That he wants algebra he must confess; But not a
            soul to give our arms success.        --Young.

   5. A human being; a person; -- a familiar appellation,
      usually with a qualifying epithet; as, poor soul.

            As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news
            from a far country.                   --Prov. xxv.
                                                  25.

            God forbid so many simple souls Should perish by the
            aword!                                --Shak.

            Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul).   --Cowper.

   6. A pure or disembodied spirit.

            That to his only Son . . . every soul in heaven
            Shall bend the knee.                  --Milton.

   Note: Soul is used in the formation of numerous compounds,
         most of which are of obvious signification; as,
         soul-betraying, soul-consuming, soul-destroying,
         soul-distracting, soul-enfeebling, soul-exalting,
         soul-felt, soul-harrowing, soul-piercing,
         soul-quickening, soul-reviving, soul-stirring,
         soul-subduing, soul-withering, etc.

   Syn: Spirit; life; courage; fire; ardor.

   {Cure of souls}. See {Cure}, n., 2.

   {Soul bell}, the passing bell. --Bp. Hall.

   {Soul foot}. See {Soul scot}, below. [Obs.]

   {Soul scot} or

   {Soul shot}. [Soul + scot, or shot; cf. AS. s[=a]welsceat.]
      (O. Eccl. Law) A funeral duty paid in former times for a
      requiem for the soul. --Ayliffe.