‖ pneuma
(ˈpnjuːmə, ˈnjuːmə)
[a. Gr. πνεῦµα wind, breath, spirit, prop. that which is blown or breathed, f. πνέειν, πνεῖν to blow, breathe.]
1. The Greek word for ‘spirit’ or ‘soul’, occas. used in Eng. context.
| 1884 W. G. Stevenson in Pop. Sc. Monthly XXIV. 761 [Hippocrates] taught the existence of an ‘intermediate nature’, which though distinct from the mortal Soul or pneuma, was the source of vital activity. 1894 Daily News 25 Oct. 6/2 The pneuma, the overshadowing spirit of the new man who is sought after by Angela, the Psyche or feminine principle of aspiration and intuition. |
2. Mediæval Mus. a. A long ligature or group of notes sung to one (inarticulate) syllable at the end of a plain-song melody: = neume 1. b. One of a set of signs indicating the tones of the chant: = neume 2, pneum.
| 1880 Rockstro in Grove Dict. Mus. II. 691/2 The very essence of the Pneuma lies in its adaptation to an inarticulate sound. 1881 Ibid. III. 4/2 The Preface to the Ratisbon Gradual directs that the Pneuma shall be sung upon the vowel A. |