esprit

Esprit is a French noun meaning spirit, mind, temperament, or lively character. In English usage the word appears as a loanword to convey wit, vivacity, or the essential character of a person or thing. Its etymology traces to Old French esprit, from Latin spiritus, meaning breath or spirit.

In usage, esprit often denotes a form of collective energy or intellect. French phrases such as esprit de corps describe group morale or solidarity, while esprit d’escalier refers to a witty or apt remark that comes to mind too late. In philosophy, literature, and everyday speech, esprit can denote the rational or spirited life of the mind and the distinctive character or atmosphere of a culture, institution, or work.

Notable uses as proper nouns and products include the Lotus Esprit, a British mid-engine sports car produced by Lotus Cars from 1976 to 2004 and recognized for its distinctive design and a submarine variant in a James Bond film. Esprit is also the name of a major international fashion brand founded in 1968 by Susie and Doug Tompkins in California, later based in Asia; Esprit Holdings Limited has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is known for its casual-wear lines.

In contemporary language, esprit remains a versatile term in discussions of wit, morale, and cultural character. In French, esprit is masculine (un esprit) and forms part of many idiomatic expressions that endure in both everyday speech and scholarly reference.