DEFINITION OF LIFE

plural livesplay \ˈlīvz
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 (see metabolism 1), growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
2
a : the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual
children … are the joy of our lives — Agnes S. Turnbull
b : one or more aspects of the process of living sex life of the frog
3
: biography 1 the life of George Washington
4
: spiritual existence transcending (see transcend 1c) physical death
his craving … for the release into the life to come — Rodney Gilbert
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 the life of the colonists
7
: livelihood The fishing village drew its life from the sea.
8
: a vital or living being; specifically : person many lives were lost in the disaster
9
: an animating and shaping force or principle
the life of the constitution … has been not logic but experience — F. A. Ogg & Harold Zink
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 (such as resilience (see resilience 1) or elasticity) of an inanimate (see inanimate 1) 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
19
capitalized, Christian Science : god 1b
20
: something resembling animate life a grant saved the project's life