The Spanish word 'espirituoso' (meaning 'spirituous' or 'alcoholic') comes from the Latin word 'spirituosus', meaning 'full of spirit'. This Latin word was formed by combining two elements: 'spiritus' (meaning 'breath' or 'spirit') and the suffix '-osus' (meaning 'full of'). When this word entered Spanish, it gained the initial 'e-' (a common development when Latin words beginning with 's-' entered Spanish) while maintaining its general meaning related to spirits or alcohol.

This word is related to several common Spanish words that might be more familiar to Spanish learners. The most obvious is 'espíritu' (spirit), which comes directly from Latin 'spiritus'. You might also recognize 'respirar' (to breathe) and 'espirar' (to expire/breathe out), which share the same Latin root 'spiritus' relating to breath and spirit.

English speakers can easily connect 'espirituoso' to several familiar English words. 'Spiritual' and 'spirit' come from the same Latin root 'spiritus'. The English word 'spirituous' is actually a direct cognate of the Spanish word, having developed from the same Latin source. Other related English words include 'respiration', 'inspire', and 'expire', all of which contain the basic meaning of breath or spirit from Latin 'spiritus'.