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lives |
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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