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alive

adjective

  1. not be dead, being alive, exist in some manner or for some length of time, alive
L9481 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪv/

adj

Etymology: From Middle English alyve, alive, alife, olive, olife, on live, on life, from Old English on līfe (“alive”, literally “in life" or "in (the) body”), from on (“on, in”) + līfe, dative singular of līf (“life”). In this sense, replaced Old English cwic (whence English quick). Equivalent to a- + life. Compare Dutch in leven (“alive”, literally “in life”), German am Leben (“alive”, literally “at life" or "at living”).

  1. Having life; living; not dead.

    As long as the plant is alive, he will continue to water it.

    I am hee that liueth, and was dead : and behold, I am aliue foꝛ euermoꝛe,Amen,and haue the keyes of hell and of death.

  2. In a state of action; in force or operation; existent.

    to keep the fire alive

    to keep the affections alive

  3. Busy with activity of many living beings; swarming; thronged; busy.

    Although quite dull during the day, the main street comes alive at night, with many bars and clubs opening.

    First a solitary blackbird started up, and soon the whole forest was alive with birdsong.

  4. Carrying electrical current; energized.

    DANGER: OVERHEAD CATENARY—WIRE IS ALIVE

  5. Aware of; sensitive to.

    We are alive to the ongoing potential for terrorist attacks.

    We may be sure that the Church would be alive to the dangers of allowing the plays to be performed outside the sacred edifice.

  6. Sprightly; lively; brisk.

    Smouch, requesting Mr. Pickwick in a surly manner ‘to be as alive as he could, for it was a busy time,’ drew up a chair by the door and sat there, until he had finished dressing.

    Liverpool’s equaliser came within four minutes. James Milner swung the ball over from a corner on the right and Sadio Mané, Liverpool’s most dangerous player, was alive in the six-yard area.

  7. Susceptible, sensitive; easy to impress; having keen feelings, as opposed to apathy.

    Though tremblingly alive to Nature's laws, Yet ever firm to Honour's sacred cause

    This was a reproach to John, and a slur upon the dog; and both were alive to their misfortune.

  8. Out of all living creatures.

    The Whitest Boy Alive

    The Earl of Northumberland 'was the proudest man alive' and 'was in all his deportment a very great man.

  9. Synonym of live.