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noun pl. lives

that property or quality of plants and animals that distinguishes them from inorganic matter or dead organisms; specif., the cellular biochemical activity or processes of an organism, characterized by the ingestion of nutrients, the storage and use of energy, the excretion of wastes, growth, reproduction, etc.
this activity, or the state of possessing this property: brought back to life
a living being, esp. a human being: the lives lost in wars
living things collectively, often of a specified kind: plant life
the time a person or thing is alive or exists, or a specific portion of such time: his early life
a sentence of imprisonment for the rest of one's life
one's manner of living: a life of ease
the activities of a given time or in a given setting, and the people who take part in them: military life
lives considered together as belonging to a certain class or type: high life
1. an individual's animate existence
2. an account of this; biography
3. a specific aspect of an individual's activities: her love life
the existence of the soul: eternal life
something essential to the continued existence of something else: freedom of speech is the life of democracy
the source of vigor or liveliness: the life of the party
vigor; liveliness; animation; vivacity
the period of flourishing, usefulness, etc.; period during which anything lasts: fads have a short life
another chance
Fine Arts
1. a lifelike quality or appearance
2. representation from living models: a class in life

adjective

for a lifetime: a life sentence
of or relating to the property of life: life processes
using live models: a life class in art

See life in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(līf)

noun pl. lives lives (līvz)

a. The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism.
b. The characteristic state or condition of a living organism.
Living organisms considered as a group: plant life; marine life.
A living being, especially a person: an earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives.
The physical, mental, and spiritual experiences that constitute existence: the artistic life of a writer.
a. The interval of time between birth and death: She led a good, long life.
b. The interval of time between one's birth and the present: has had hay fever all his life.
c. A particular segment of one's life: my adolescent life.
d. The period from an occurrence until death: elected for life; paralyzed for life.
e. Slang A sentence of imprisonment lasting till death.
The time for which something exists or functions: the useful life of a car.
A spiritual state regarded as a transcending of corporeal death.
An account of a person's life; a biography.
Human existence, relationships, or activity in general: real life; everyday life.
a. A manner of living: led a hard life.
b. A specific, characteristic manner of existence. Used of inanimate objects: “Great institutions seem to have a life of their own, independent of those who run them” (New Republic).
c. The activities and interests of a particular area or realm: musical life in New York.
a. A source of vitality; an animating force: She's the life of the show.
b. Liveliness or vitality; animation: a face that is full of life.
a. Something that actually exists regarded as a subject for an artist: painted from life.
b. Actual environment or reality; nature.

adjective

Of or relating to animate existence; involved in or necessary for living: life processes.
Continuing for a lifetime; lifelong: life partner; life imprisonment.
Using a living model as a subject for an artist: a life sculpture.

See life in Ologies

Life