Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Spirituality?

\Spir`it*u*al"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Spiritualities}. [L. spiritualitas: cf. F. spiritualit['e].] 1. The quality or state of being spiritual; incorporeality; heavenly-mindedness. A pleasure made for the soul, suitable to its spirituality. --South. If this light be not spiritual, yet it approacheth nearest to spirituality. --Sir W. Raleigh. Much of our spirituality and comfort in public worship depends on the state of mind in which we come. --Bickersteth. 2. (Eccl.) That which belongs to the church, or to a person as an ecclesiastic, or to religion, as distinct from temporalities. During the vacancy of a see, the archbishop is guardian of the spiritualities thereof. --Blackstone. 3. An ecclesiastical body; the whole body of the clergy, as distinct from, or opposed to, the temporality. [Obs.] Five entire subsidies were granted to the king by the spirituality. --Fuller.