‖ spirituˈel, -ˈelle, a.
[F. spirituel masc., -elle fem.: see spiritual a.]
Of a highly refined character or nature, esp. in conjunction with liveliness or quickness of mind.
The distinction between the masc. and fem. forms has not always been observed in English.
| α 1673 Dryden Marr. à la Mode iii. i, Do not call it my service, that's too vulgar; but do my baise-mains to the princess Amalthea; that is spirituelle! 1738 Mrs. Delany Life & Corr. (1861) II. 20 She has such a flow of spirits and of wit;..she is by much the most spirituelle creature I ever met with. 1867 A. J. Wilson Vashti xvii, To-day there was a spirituelle beauty in the white face that he had never seen before. 1886 Illustr. Lond. News 9 Jan. 45/1 The expression of her countenance..was spirituelle in a high degree. 1895 Q. Rev. Oct. 467 She was as delightful, racy, spirituelle a companion after as before her religious change. |
| β 1709 Mrs. Manley Secret Mem. (1720) III. 120 She was very Beautiful, and more Eveliez and Spirituel than any I had met. Ibid. 146 Gay Conversation of the Modish, most Spirituel. 1833 Lytton Godolphin lxiv, The admired—the cultivated—spirituel—the splendid Godolphin. |
Hence
spirituˈelly adv.| 1825 New Monthly Mag. XV. 367 It tells them some very disagreeable truths, and..tells them so spirituel-ly, that..the castigation..is sport to all the rest of the world. |