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![1324228703.jpg]![p05jpmyf.jpg]
