3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Life  \Life\  (l[imac]f),  n.;  pl  {Lives}  (l[imac]vz).  [AS. 
  l[imac]f;  akin  to  D.  lijf  body,  G.  leib  body,  MHG.  l[imac]p 
  life,  body,  OHG.  l[imac]b  life,  Icel.  l[imac]f,  life,  body, 
  Sw  lif,  Dan.  liv,  and  E.  live,  v.  [root]119.  See  {Live},  and 
  cf  {Alive}.] 
  1.  The  state  of  being  which  begins  with  generation,  birth,  or 
  germination,  and  ends  with  death;  also  the  time  during 
  which  this  state  continues;  that  state  of  an  animal  or 
  plant  in  which  all  or  any  of  its  organs  are  capable  of 
  performing  all  or  any  of  their  functions;  --  used  of  all 
  animal  and  vegetable  organisms. 
 
  2.  Of  human  beings:  The  union  of  the  soul  and  body;  also  the 
  duration  of  their  union;  sometimes  the  deathless  quality 
  or  existence  of  the  soul;  as  man  is  a  creature  having  an 
  immortal  life. 
 
  She  shows  a  body  rather  than  a  life.  --Shak. 
 
  3.  (Philos)  The  potential  principle,  or  force,  by  which  the 
  organs  of  animals  and  plants  are  started  and  continued  in 
  the  performance  of  their  several  and  co["o]perative 
  functions;  the  vital  force,  whether  regarded  as  physical 
  or  spiritual. 
 
  4.  Figuratively:  The  potential  or  animating  principle,  also 
  the  period  of  duration,  of  anything  that  is  conceived  of 
  as  resembling  a  natural  organism  in  structure  or 
  functions;  as  the  life  of  a  state,  a  machine,  or  a  book; 
  authority  is  the  life  of  government. 
 
  5.  A  certain  way  or  manner  of  living  with  respect  to 
  conditions,  circumstances,  character,  conduct,  occupation, 
  etc.;  hence  human  affairs;  also  lives,  considered 
  collectively,  as  a  distinct  class  or  type  as  low  life;  a 
  good  or  evil  life;  the  life  of  Indians,  or  of  miners. 
 
  That  which  before  us  lies  in  daily  life.  --Milton. 
 
  By  experience  of  life  abroad  in  the  world.  --Ascham. 
 
  Lives  of  great  men  all  remind  us  We  can  make  our 
  lives  sublime.  --Longfellow. 
 
  'T  is  from  high  life  high  characters  are  drawn. 
  --Pope 
 
  6.  Animation;  spirit;  vivacity;  vigor;  energy. 
 
  No  notion  of  life  and  fire  in  fancy  and  in  words 
  --Felton. 
 
  That  gives  thy  gestures  grace  and  life. 
  --Wordsworth. 
 
  7.  That  which  imparts  or  excites  spirit  or  vigor;  that  upon 
  which  enjoyment  or  success  depends;  as  he  was  the  life  of 
  the  company,  or  of  the  enterprise. 
 
  8.  The  living  or  actual  form  person,  thing  or  state;  as  a 
  picture  or  a  description  from  the  life. 
 
  9.  A  person;  a  living  being  usually  a  human  being  as  many 
  lives  were  sacrificed. 
 
  10.  The  system  of  animal  nature;  animals  in  general,  or 
  considered  collectively. 
 
  Full  nature  swarms  with  life.  --Thomson. 
 
  11.  An  essential  constituent  of  life,  esp.  the  blood. 
 
  The  words  that  I  speak  unto  you  .  .  .  they  are 
  life.  --John  vi  63. 
 
  The  warm  life  came  issuing  through  the  wound. 
  --Pope 
 
  12.  A  history  of  the  acts  and  events  of  a  life;  a  biography; 
  as  Johnson  wrote  the  life  of  Milton. 
 
  13.  Enjoyment  in  the  right  use  of  the  powers;  especially,  a 
  spiritual  existence;  happiness  in  the  favor  of  God; 
  heavenly  felicity. 
 
  14.  Something  dear  to  one  as  one's  existence;  a  darling;  -- 
  used  as  a  term  of  endearment. 
 
  Note:  Life  forms  the  first  part  of  many  compounds,  for  the 
  most  part  of  obvious  meaning;  as  life-giving, 
  life-sustaining,  etc 
 
  {Life  annuity},  an  annuity  payable  during  one's  life. 
 
  {Life  arrow},  {Life  rocket},  {Life  shot},  an  arrow,  rocket, 
  or  shot,  for  carrying  an  attached  line  to  a  vessel  in 
  distress  in  order  to  save  life. 
 
  {Life  assurance}.  See  {Life  insurance},  below. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Lives  \Lives\,  n.; 
  pl  of  {Life}. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Lives  \Lives\,  a.  &  adv  [Orig.  a  genitive  sing.  of  life.] 
  Alive;  living;  with  life.  [Obs.]  ``  Any  lives  creature.'' 
  --Chaucer. 

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