Vital
['vaɪt(ə)l] or ['vaɪtl]
Definition
(adj.) manifesting or characteristic of life; 'a vital, living organism'; 'vital signs' .
(adj.) performing an essential function in the living body; 'vital organs'; 'blood and other vital fluids'; 'the loss of vital heat in shock'; 'a vital spot'; 'life-giving love and praise' .
Inputed by Davis--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Belonging or relating to life, either animal or vegetable; as, vital energies; vital functions; vital actions.
(a.) Contributing to life; necessary to, or supporting, life; as, vital blood.
(a.) Containing life; living.
(a.) Being the seat of life; being that on which life depends; mortal.
(a.) Very necessary; highly important; essential.
(a.) Capable of living; in a state to live; viable.
(n.) A vital part; one of the vitals.
Editor: Michel
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Essential, indispensable, very necessary.
Edited by Bernice
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Living, animate, life-supporting, life-containing, essential, necessary,important, indispensable, inseparable, paramount, material
ANT:Mortal, lethal, cadaverous, lifeless, inanimate, unessential, unimportant,secondary, separable, immaterial
Checked by John
Definition
adj. belonging or contributing to life: containing or necessary to life: important as life: essential.—n. Vītalisā′tion.—v.t. Vī′talise to make vital or alive: to give life to or furnish with the vital principle.—ns. Vī′talism the doctrine that there is a vital principle distinct from the organisation of living bodies which directs all their actions and functions; Vī′talist one who holds this doctrine.—adj. Vītalis′tic.—n. Vītal′ity quality of being vital: principle or power of life: capacity to endure and flourish.—adv. Vī′tally.—n.pl. Vī′tals the interior organs essential for life: the part of any whole necessary for its existence.—n. Vītā′tiveness (phrenol.) the love of life a faculty assigned to a protuberance under the ear.—Vital force the principle of life in animals and plants; Vital functions power ability to continue living; Vital principle that principle on which the life of an organism is thought to depend; Vital statistics a division of statistics dealing with the facts and problems concerning population.
Inputed by Josiah
Examples
- The vital part of the population has pretty well emerged from any dumb acquiescence in constitutions. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- The question whether the voting was to be by the estates or by head was clearly a vital one. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- There is none of that cumulative growth which makes an experience in any vital sense of that term. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Rightly understood, these social currents would, I believe, lead to the central issues of life, the vital points upon which happiness depends. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- It is in this little place that there was developed the remarkable mixture which is to play so vital a part in the successful construction of these everlasting homes for living millions. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Sharing in actual pursuit, whether directly or vicariously in play, is at least personal and vital. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- The reaper was a very vital factor in the development of that country, and McCormick deserved the credit of being one of the greatest profit-builders of the land. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- We know that a man is being done to death, and every hour may be vital. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- Since every man, woman, and child constantly breathes forth carbon dioxide, the danger in overcrowded rooms is great, and proper ventilation is of vital importance. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Another vital test was made at this time--namely, of the strength of the iron structure itself on which the plant was erected. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- We all felt then that we were of importance, and that our contribution of effort and zeal were vital. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Other inventions are vastly important, but this one is vital. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Now a vital relationship can be observed not only among different stages of the same science, but als o among the different sciences. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- And yet he was somewhere indomitable and separate, like a quick, vital rat. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- I was experiencing an ordeal: a hand of fiery iron grasped my vitals. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- St. John looks quiet, Jane; but he hides a fever in his vitals. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Two blacks went down with our swords in their vitals, and we stood face to face with Issus. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
Edited by Janet