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live by

phrasal verb

Definition of live by

1 : to agree with and follow (something, such as a set of beliefs)
  • He tried to live by his faith.
  • a principle I try to live by
2 : to survive by (doing something)
  • They were an ancient people who lived by hunting and gathering.

Word by Word Definitions

live play

  1. : to be alive : have the life of an animal or plant

  2. : to continue alive

  3. : to maintain oneself : subsist

  1. : having life : living

  2. : existing in fact or reality : actual

  3. : exerting force or containing energy: such as

  1. : at the actual time of occurrence : during, from, or at a live production

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