pneuma

noun

pneu·​ma ˈnü-mə 

ˈnyü-

plural pneumas or pneumata ˈnü-mə-tə 

ˈnyü-

1

in theology : soul, spirit

specifically : holy spirit

The adherents of these movements believe that the pneuma—Holy Spirit—plays a central role in their lives and their communities …

—David Maxwell

2

in classical medicine : an invisible liquid or vapor held to travel throughout the body and to be necessary to and associated with life

Pneuma, according to ancient Greeks and Romans, was a driving force in the body, necessary for maintaining bodily functions.

—Judy Duchan

3

in Stoicism : a mixture of air and fire held to be the divine organizing principle of the universe

Of the four elements, the Stoics identify two as active (fire and air) and two as passive (water and earth). The active elements, or at least the principles of hot and cold, combine to form breath or pneuma. Pneuma, in turn, is the 'sustaining cause' … of all existing bodies and guides the growth and development of animate bodies.

—Dirk Baltzly

The distinctive contribution of Stoicism, at any rate by the time of Chrysippus, was to extend the explanatory role of pneuma beyond individual animal life, and to make it the vital power of the world as a whole. … Pneuma is the vehicle of the divine 'reason' (logos) which pervades and governs the entire world …

—David Sedley

Word History

Etymology

Greek

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 1