Holy Ghost

English

Etymology

From Middle English Holi Gost, from Old English Hāliġ Gāst, 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 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

the Holy Ghost

1. (Christianity) The person (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.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 1:18:

     Now the birth of Iesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Ioseph (before they came together) shee was found with childe of the holy Ghost.

   • 1728, “The Litany of the Saints and Angels”, in A Manual of Prayers and Other Christian Devotions, page 50:

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

   • 1899, “Lay Baptism”, in The Catholic's Pocket Prayer-Book, page 4:

     I baptise thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

   • 1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide:

     There are deadly sins from which God's people may recover. A man may even communicate unworthily, and yet, so be it he sin not against the Holy Ghost, he may find forgiveness.

Synonyms

• God the Holy Ghost
• See others at Holy Spirit

Derived terms

• God the Holy Ghost
• stand fast the Holy Ghost

Translations

person of the Holy Trinity — see Holy Spirit

Noun

Holy Ghost (uncountable)

1. The plant Angelica archangelica.