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Entry 14 senses Webster, 1913

Life

/(līf)/ · IPA /laɪf/
01 n. The state of being which begins with generation, birth, or germination, and ends with death; also, the time during which this state continu…
pl. Lives ((līvz))
  1. 1.
    The state of being which begins with generation, birth, or germination, and ends with death; also, the time during which this state continues; that state of an animal or plant in which all or any of its organs are capable of performing all or any of their functions; -- used of all animal and vegetable organisms.
  2. 2.
    Of human beings: The union of the soul and body; also, the duration of their union; sometimes, the deathless quality or existence of the soul; as, man is a creature having an immortal life.
    “She shows a body rather than a life.” — Shak.
  3. 3.
    The potential principle, or force, by which the organs of animals and plants are started and continued in the performance of their several and cooperative functions; the vital force, whether regarded as physical or spiritual.(Philos.)
  4. 4.
    Figuratively: The potential or animating principle, also, the period of duration, of anything that is conceived of as resembling a natural organism in structure or functions; as, the life of a state, a machine, or a book; authority is the life of government.
  5. 5.
    A certain way or manner of living with respect to conditions, circumstances, character, conduct, occupation, etc.; hence, human affairs; also, lives, considered collectively, as a distinct class or type; as, low life; a good or evil life; the life of Indians, or of miners.
    “That which before us lies in daily life.” — Milton.
    “By experience of life abroad in the world.” — Ascham.
    “Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime.” — Longfellow.
    “'T is from high life high characters are drawn.” — Pope.
  6. 6.
    Animation; spirit; vivacity; vigor; energy.
    “No notion of life and fire in fancy and in words.” — Felton.
    “That gives thy gestures grace and life.” — Wordsworth.
  7. 7.
    That which imparts or excites spirit or vigor; that upon which enjoyment or success depends; as, he was the life of the company, or of the enterprise.
  8. 8.
    The living or actual form, person, thing, or state; as, a picture or a description from, the life.
  9. 9.
    A person; a living being, usually a human being; as, many lives were sacrificed.
  10. 10.
    The system of animal nature; animals in general, or considered collectively.
    “Full nature swarms with life.” — Thomson.
  11. 11.
    An essential constituent of life, esp: the blood.
    “The words that I speak unto you . . . they are life.” — John vi. 63.
    “The warm life came issuing through the wound.” — Pope.
  12. 12.
    A history of the acts and events of a life; a biography; as, Johnson wrote the life of Milton.
  13. 13.
    Enjoyment in the right use of the powers; especially, a spiritual existence; happiness in the favor of God; heavenly felicity.
  14. 14.
    Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; -- used as a term of endearment.
Phrases & compounds
Life annuity — an annuity payable during one's life.
Life arrow — an arrow, rocket, or shot, for carrying an attached line to a vessel in distress in order to save life.
Life assurance — See Life insurance, below.
Life buoy — See Buoy.
Life car — a water-tight boat or box, traveling on a line from a wrecked vessel to the shore. In it person are hauled through the waves and surf.
Life drop — a drop of vital blood.
Life estate — an estate which is held during the term of some certain person's life, but does not pass by inheritance.
Life everlasting — a plant with white or yellow persistent scales about the heads of the flowers, as Antennaria, and Gnaphalium; cudweed.
Life of an execution — the period when an execution is in force, or before it expires.
Life guard — See under Guard.
Life insurance — the act or system of insuring against death; a contract by which the insurer undertakes, in consideration of the payment of a premium (usually at stated periods), to pay a stipulated sum in the event of the death of the insured or of a third person in whose life the insured has an interest.
Life interest — an estate or interest which lasts during one's life, or the life of another person, but does not pass by inheritance.
Life land — land held by lease for the term of a life or lives.
Life line — A line along any part of a vessel for the security of sailors.
Life rate — rate of premium for insuring a life.
Life rent — the rent of a life estate; rent or property to which one is entitled during one's life.
Life school — a school for artists in which they model, paint, or draw from living models.
Life table — a table showing the probability of life at different ages.
To lose one's life — to die.
To seek the life of — to seek to kill.
To the life — so as closely to resemble the living person or the subject; as, the portrait was drawn to the life.