Alma

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈæl.mə/

Definitions

1. A concept representing a nurturing essence or spirit that embodies one's inner self, highlighting emotional connections and character depth
2. A symbolic idea of the caring core that reflects an individual's true nature and emotional depth
3. An abstract force that signifies the compassionate and soulful part of a person

Etymology: The Arabic word "ʕālima" originally meant "learned" or "knowledgeable," the feminine form of an adjective built on the verb "ʕalima," "to know." In colloquial Arabic, though, it came to mean "a singer," and that is the sense that travelled into Spanish and then into English. Few readers would guess that a word now tied to the soul began as a description of a woman who knew things, and then as a term for a female entertainer. The English noun "alma" is a borrowing from Spanish, where the same word means "soul," and it is used in English with the sense of a compassionate, soulful inner self. The shift from a singer to the soul is a striking jump, and the Spanish usage absorbed the word's older associations in its own way. The English form keeps the sound of its Spanish source while carrying the abstract meaning.