Etymology : Middle English, from Old English on life, from on + lIf life
Pronunciation : &-lIv
Function : adjective
Date : before 12th century
1. living; active; attentive. alive\a*live"\ , a. [oe. on live, as. on līfe in life; līfe being dat. of līf life. see:
life, and cf. live, a.].
2. 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.
3. in a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive.
4. 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.
5. sprightly; lively; brisk.
6. having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive. tremblingly alive to nature's laws. r.
7. of all living (by way of emphasis). northumberland was the proudest man alive.note: used colloquially as an intensive; as, man alive!note: alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.
8. 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.
9. In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive.
10. Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings; swarming; thronged.
11. Sprightly; lively; brisk.
12. Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
13. Of all living .
14. 1. If people or animals are alive, they are not dead. She does not know if he is alive or dead They kept her alive on a life support machine. ¡Ù dead.
15. If you say that someone seems alive, you mean that they seem to be very lively and to enjoy everything that they do. Our relationship made me feel more alive.
16. If an activity, organization, or situation is alive, it continues to exist or function. The big factories are trying to stay alive by cutting costs Both communities have a tradition of keeping history alive. ¡Ù dead.
17. If a place is alive with something, there are a lot of people or things there and it seems busy or exciting. The river was alive with birds.
18. If people, places, or events come alive, they start to be lively again after a quiet period. If someone or something brings them alive, they cause them to come alive. The doctor's voice had come alive and his small eyes shone.
19. If a story or description comes alive, it becomes interesting, lively, or realistic. If someone or something brings it alive, they make it seem more interesting, lively, or realistic. She made history come alive with tales from her own memories.
20. emphasis If you say that someone or something is alive and kicking, you are emphasizing not only that they continue to survive, but also that they are very active. worries that the secret police may still be alive and kicking.
21. emphasis If you say that someone or something is alive and well, you are emphasizing that they continue to survive. A man who went missing yesterday during a blizzard has been found alive and well.