vital
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin vītālis (“of life, life-giving”), from vīta (“life”), from vīvō (“live”).
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
vital (comparative more vital, superlative most vital)
- Relating to, or characteristic of life.
- Necessary to the continuation of life; being the seat of life; being that on which life depends.
- The brain is a vital organ.
- Invigorating or life-giving.
- The sun’s vital radiation.
- Necessary to continued existence.
- The transition to farming was vital for the creation of civilisation.
- Relating to the recording of life events.
- Birth, marriage and death certificates are vital records.
- Very important.
- It is vital that you don't forget to do your homework.
- 2012 December 21, Simon Jenkins, “We mustn't overreact to North Korea boys' toys”, The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 2, page 23:
- David Cameron insists that his latest communications data bill is “vital to counter terrorism”. Yet terror is mayhem. It is no threat to freedom. That threat is from counter-terror, from ministers capitulating to securocrats.
Derived terms [edit]
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
relating to, or characteristic of life
necessary to the continuation of life
|
|
invigorating or life-giving
|
necessary to continued existence
|
|
relating to the recording of life events
|
|
very important
|
External links [edit]
- vital in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- vital in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
French [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Latin vītālis (“of life, life-giving”).
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
vital m (feminine vitale, masculine plural vitaux, feminine plural vitales)
Galician [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Latin vītālis (“of life, life-giving”).
Adjective [edit]
vital m and f (plural vitais)
Related terms [edit]
Spanish [edit]
Adjective [edit]
vital m and f (plural vitales)
