vital

Definition

Relating to or characteristic of life.

Etymology

From Middle English vital, from Old French vital, from Latin vītālis (“of life, life-giving”), from vīta (“life”), from vīvō (“I live”). Doublet of jiva and quick.

Example Sentences

• "vital energies; vital functions; vital actions"
• "But open converse is there none, ⁠So much the vital spirits sink ⁠To see the vacant chair, and think, ‘How good! how kind! and he is gone.’"
• "The brain is a vital organ."

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