a. [ Cf. (for sense 2) F. spiritueux. Cf. Spiritous. ] 1. Having the quality of spirit; tenuous in substance, and having active powers or properties; ethereal; immaterial; spiritual; pure. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Containing, or of the nature of, alcoholic (esp. distilled) spirit; consisting of refined spirit; alcoholic; ardent; as, spirituous liquors. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Lively; gay; vivid; airy. [ Obs. ] Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ] The mind of man is of that spirituous, stirring nature, that it is perpetually at work. South. [ 1913 Webster ] | 