Etymology: Middle English lif, from Old English līf; akin to Old English libban to live — more at live
Date: before 12th century
1 a: the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body b: a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings c: an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction 2 a: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual b: one or more aspects of the process of living <sex life of the frog> 3:biography 1 4: spiritual existence transcending physical death 5 a: the period from birth to death b: a specific phase of earthly existence <adult life>c: the period from an event until death <a judge appointed for life>d: a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convict's life 6: a way or manner of living 7:livelihood 8: a vital or living being; specifically:person<many lives were lost in the disaster> 9: an animating and shaping force or principle 10:spirit, animation<saw no life in her dancing> 11: the form or pattern of something existing in reality <painted from life> 12: the period of duration, usefulness, or popularity of something <the expected life of the batteries> 13: the period of existence (as of a subatomic particle) — compare half-life 14: a property (as resilience or elasticity) of an inanimate substance or object resembling the animate quality of a living being 15: living beings (as of a particular kind or environment) <forest life> 16 a: human activities b: animate activity and movement <stirrings of life>c: the activities of a given sphere, area, or time <the political life of the country> 17: one providing interest and vigor <life of the party> 18: an opportunity for continued viability <gave the patient a new life> 19capitalizedChristian Science:god 1b 20: something resembling animate life <a grant saved the project's life>
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