Where does “esprit” come from?

Esprit comes from French esprit, derived from Latin spiritus meaning "breath" or "soul," which traces to Proto-Indo-European (s)peys- meaning "to breathe" or "to blow."

esprit (English): Spirit, enthusiasm; A wit; Liveliness, or active...

Definitions

  1. Spirit, enthusiasm; A wit; Liveliness, or active...

Ancestry of “esprit”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchéspritimmaterial or incorporeal substance
2Middle Frenchesperitmind
3Latinspīritusair, breath, breathing
4Latinspīrōto breathe, draw breath, respire
5Proto-Indo-European(s)peys-to blow, breathe; to blow to make noise; to blow;...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)peys- →Every word from Latin spīrō →Every word from Latin spīritus →
esprit — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer