Vital
From Nordan Symposia
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Etymology
Middle English, from Latin vitalis of life, from vita life; akin to Latin vivere to live
- Date: 14th century
Definitions
- 1 a : existing as a manifestation of life
- b : concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life <vital organs> <blood and other vital fluids>
- 2 : full of life and vigor : animated
- 3 : characteristic of life or living beings
- 4 a : fundamentally concerned with or affecting life or living beings: as (1) : tending to renew or refresh the living : invigorating (2) : destructive to life : mortal
- b : of the utmost importance <a vital clue> <vital resources>
- 5 : recording data relating to lives
- 6 : of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues
