- Alive
- Alive A*live", a. [OE. on live, AS. on l[=i]fe in life;
l[=i]fe being dat. of l[=i]f life. See {Life}, and cf.
{Live}, a.]
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive. [1913 Webster]
3. Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings; swarming; thronged. [1913 Webster]
The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with muskets and green boughs. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
4. Sprightly; lively; brisk. --Richardson. [1913 Webster]
5. Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive. [1913 Webster]
Tremblingly alive to nature's laws. --Falconer. [1913 Webster]
6. Of all living (by way of emphasis). [1913 Webster]
Northumberland was the proudest man alive. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]
Note: Used colloquially as an intensive; as, man alive! [1913 Webster]
Note: Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
