Holy Ghost

English

Etymology 1

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 רוּחַ הָקֹדֶשׁ (rûaḥ hā-qōḏeš), from רוּחַ (rûaḥ, “wind, breath, spirit”) + קֹדֶשׁ (qōḏeš, “holiness”), from earlier רוּחַ יְהֹוָה/יַהְוֶה (rûaḥ Yəhōwā/Yahəweh, “wind of Jehovah/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
• Holy Ghoster
• stand fast the Holy Ghost

Translations

person of the Holy Trinity — see Holy Spirit

Noun

Holy Ghost (uncountable)

1. The plant Angelica archangelica.

Etymology 2

Named after the Convent of the Holy Ghost Sisters, which was present in the area. Currently, the land of the convent is owned by the Iglesia ni Cristo within Holy Ghost Hill Proper.

Alternative forms

• Holyghost

Proper noun

Holy Ghost

1. A name of several barangays in Baguio, Benguet, Philippines.

   Hyponyms: Holy Ghost Extension, Holy Ghost Hill Proper, Honeymoon-Holyghost — specific places of Holy Ghost

References

• “About Holy Ghost Proper”, in Holy Ghost Proper‎, 7 January 2015