vital
vi·tal
adjective
1.
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
- “a critical element of the plan”
- “critical medical supplies”
- “vital for a healthy society”
- “of vital interest”
2.
performing an essential function in the living body
- “vital organs”
- “blood and other vital fluids”
- “the loss of vital heat in shock”
- “a vital spot”
- “life-giving love and praise”
3.
- “a dynamic full of life woman”
- “a vital and charismatic leader”
- “this whole lively world”
4.
Origin
From Middle English vital, from Old French vital, from Latin vītālis (“of life, life-giving”), from vīta (“life”), from vīvō (“to live”). Doublet of jiva and quick.
Phrases
- élan vital
- noeud vital
- vital air
- vital capacity
- vital effect
- vital force
- vital function
- vital index
Related words
WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.