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Webster 1913 Edition


Alive

A-live′

,
Adj.
[OE.
on live
, AS.
on līfe
in life;
līfe
being dat. of
līf
life. See
Life
, and cf.
Live
,
Adj.
]
1.
Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their functions;
as, an animal or a plant which is
alive
.
2.
In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent;
as, to keep the fire
alive
; to keep the affections
alive
.
3.
Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings; swarming; thronged.
The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was
alive
with muskets and green boughs.
Macaulay.
4.
Sprightly; lively; brisk.
Richardson.
5.
Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
Tremblingly
alive
to nature’s laws.
Falconer.
6.
Of all living (by way of emphasis).
Northumberland was the proudest man
alive
.
Clarendon.
Used colloquially as an intensive; as, man alive!
Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.

Webster 1828 Edition


Alive

ALI'VE

, a.
1.
Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their functions, and the fluids move, whether in animals or vegetables; as, the man or plant is alive.
2.
In a state of action; unextinguished; undestroyed; unexpired; in force or operation; as, keep the process alive.
3.
Cheerful; sprightly; lively; full of alacrity; as, the company were all alive.
4.
Susceptible; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as when the mind is solicitous about some event; as, one is alive to whatever is interesting to a friend.
5.
Exhibiting motion or moving bodies in great numbers.
The city was all alive, when the General entered.
6.
In a scriptural sense, regenerated; born again.
For this my son was dead and is alive. Luke 15.
[This adjective always follows the noun which it qualifies.]

Definition 2024


alive

alive

English

Adjective

alive (comparative more alive, superlative most alive)

  1. Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their functions; as, an animal or a plant which is alive.
  2. In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent
    to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive.
  3. Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings; swarming; thronged.
    The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with muskets and green boughs. -- Thomas Babington Macaulay.
  4. Sprightly; lively; brisk.
  5. Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
    Tremblingly alive to nature's laws. -- William Falconer.
  6. As intensifier, of all living.
    Northumberland was the proudest man alive. --Edward Hyde Clarendon.

Usage notes

  • As intensifier, used colloquially "man alive!", "sakes alive!".
  • Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

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