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Browse the Medical Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

vital

Main Entry:: vi·tal
Pronunciation:: \ˈvīt-^əl\
Function:: adjective

1 a: existing as a manifestation of life b: concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life <vital organs> <blood and other vital fluids>2: characteristic of life or living beings <vital activities>3: recording data relating to lives <vital records>4: of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues

— vi·tal·ly \-^əl-ē\

Listen to the pronunciation of vitally

adverb

Learn more about "vital" and related topics at Britannica.com

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