Search results for 'life':

life noun (lives) 1 a the quality or state which distinguishes living animals and plants from dead ones; b collectively, the characteristics which distinguish living animals, plants, etc from inanimate objects, especially the ability to grow, develop and reproduce. 2 a the period between one's birth and death (compare lifetime); b the period between one's birth and the present time • has led a very sheltered life; c the period between the present time and one's death • had his life carefully mapped out. 3 the length of time a thing exists or is able to function • a long shelf life. Also in compounds • long-life milk. 4 living things in general or as a group • marine life. 5 a living thing, especially a human • many lives lost in war. 6 a way or manner of living • leads a very busy life. 7 in compounds a specified aspect of one's life • love-life. 8 liveliness; energy; high spirits • full of life. 9 a source of liveliness, energy or high spirits • the life and soul of the party. 10 a written account of someone's life. 11 colloq a life sentence • got life for murdering a taxi-driver. 12 any of a number of chances a player has of remaining in a game • got to level six without losing a life. 13 as adj for the duration of one's life • a life member of the Labour Party. as large as life colloq in person; real and living. bring something to life to make (eg a story) lively or interesting. come to life to become lively or interesting. for life until death • friends for life. for the life of me despite trying very hard • For the life of me, I just can't understand what she sees in him. get a life! colloq stop being so petty, boring, conventional, sad, etc. the life of Riley colloq an easy, carefree (often irresponsible) life. not on your life! colloq certainly not! take one's life in one's hands to take a very important decision which will have serious consequences for oneself; to put one's life at risk. to the life exactly like the original.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon lif.

life noun (lives) 1 a the quality or state which distinguishes living animals and plants from dead ones; b collectively, the characteristics which distinguish living animals, plants, etc from inanimate objects, especially the ability to grow, develop and reproduce. 2 a the period between one's birth and death (compare lifetime); b the period between one's birth and the present time • has led a very sheltered life; c the period between the present time and one's death • had his life carefully mapped out. 3 the length of time a thing exists or is able to function • a long shelf life. Also in compounds • long-life milk. 4 living things in general or as a group • marine life. 5 a living thing, especially a human • many lives lost in war. 6 a way or manner of living • leads a very busy life. 7 in compounds a specified aspect of one's life • love-life. 8 liveliness; energy; high spirits • full of life. 9 a source of liveliness, energy or high spirits • the life and soul of the party. 10 a written account of someone's life. 11 colloq a life sentence • got life for murdering a taxi-driver. 12 any of a number of chances a player has of remaining in a game • got to level six without losing a life. 13 as adj for the duration of one's life • a life member of the Labour Party. as large as life colloq in person; real and living. bring something to life to make (eg a story) lively or interesting. come to life to become lively or interesting. for life until death • friends for life. for the life of me despite trying very hard • For the life of me, I just can't understand what she sees in him. get a life! colloq stop being so petty, boring, conventional, sad, etc. the life of Riley colloq an easy, carefree (often irresponsible) life. not on your life! colloq certainly not! take one's life in one's hands to take a very important decision which will have serious consequences for oneself; to put one's life at risk. to the life exactly like the original.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon lif.

life noun (lives) 1 a the quality or state which distinguishes living animals and plants from dead ones; b collectively, the characteristics which distinguish living animals, plants, etc from inanimate objects, especially the ability to grow, develop and reproduce. 2 a the period between one's birth and death (compare lifetime); b the period between one's birth and the present time • has led a very sheltered life; c the period between the present time and one's death • had his life carefully mapped out. 3 the length of time a thing exists or is able to function • a long shelf life. Also in compounds • long-life milk. 4 living things in general or as a group • marine life. 5 a living thing, especially a human • many lives lost in war. 6 a way or manner of living • leads a very busy life. 7 in compounds a specified aspect of one's life • love-life. 8 liveliness; energy; high spirits • full of life. 9 a source of liveliness, energy or high spirits • the life and soul of the party. 10 a written account of someone's life. 11 colloq a life sentence • got life for murdering a taxi-driver. 12 any of a number of chances a player has of remaining in a game • got to level six without losing a life. 13 as adj for the duration of one's life • a life member of the Labour Party. as large as life colloq in person; real and living. bring something to life to make (eg a story) lively or interesting. come to life to become lively or interesting. for life until death • friends for life. for the life of me despite trying very hard • For the life of me, I just can't understand what she sees in him. get a life! colloq stop being so petty, boring, conventional, sad, etc. the life of Riley colloq an easy, carefree (often irresponsible) life. not on your life! colloq certainly not! take one's life in one's hands to take a very important decision which will have serious consequences for oneself; to put one's life at risk. to the life exactly like the original.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon lif.