Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
An old Saxon word equivalent to soul or spirit. It is the translation of the Hebrew nephesh and the Greek pneuma, both meaning "breath," "life," "spirit," the "living principle" (Job 11:20; Jer. 15:9; Mt. 27:50; Jn. 19:30). The expression "to give up the ghost" means to die (Lam. 1:19; Gen. 25:17, 35:29, 49:33; Job 3:11).