Holy Ghost

English

Etymology

From Middle English Holygost, Haliȝ Gast, holy goost, holigost, haligast, from Old English hālig gāst (“Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit”), a calque of Latin Spīritus Sānctus, which in turn is a calque of Ancient Greek Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον (Pneûma tò Hágion), from πνεῦμα (pneûma, “breath, vital force, soul”) + ἅγιος (hágios, “holy”)), a calque of (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Hebrew רוח הקודש (ruaḥ ha-qodesh), from רוח (ruaḥ, “wind, breath, spirit”) + קודש (qodesh, “holiness”), from earlier רוח יהוה (ruaḥ yahveh, “wind of Yahweh”).

Proper noun

Holy Ghost

1. (Christianity) The aspect (hypostasis) of the Trinity or Godhead corresponding to divine essence, which becomes present in and among the faithful (particularly inspired prophets) and is considered to proceed either (Eastern Orthodoxy) from God the Father alone or (Roman Catholicism) from Him together with God the Son
   • 1728, A Manual of Prayers and Other Chriſtian Devotions, “The Litany of the Saints and Angels”, page 50:

     O God the Holy Ghoſt, Perfecter of the Elect, Have Mercy on us.

Synonyms

• God the Holy Ghost
• See others at Holy Spirit

Translations

aspect of the Holy Trinity — see Holy Spirit

Noun

Holy Ghost (uncountable)

1. The plant Angelica archangelica.