1. A universal spiritual essence or divine principle that transcends individual souls and unites all existence; a concept central to transcendentalist philosophy.
Usage: philosophical; often capitalized when referring to the specific concept in transcendentalism

Examples

• Emerson wrote about the Oversoul as a unifying force connecting all human consciousness.
• In transcendentalist thought, the Oversoul represents the divine intelligence underlying nature.
• The philosopher argued that individual souls are manifestations of a greater Oversoul.
• Transcendentalists believed that meditation could help one commune with the Oversoul.
• The concept of the Oversoul influenced 19th-century American literature and spirituality.