[vig.or.ous] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. OF, fr. vigor] (14c) 1: possessing vigor: full of physical or mental strength or active force: strong "a ~ youth" "a ~ plant"
2: done with vigor: carried out forcefully and energetically "~ exercises" -- vig.or.ous.ly adv -- vig.or.ous.ness n syn vigorous, energetic, strenuous, lusty, nervous mean having or showing great vitality and force. vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness "as vigorous as a youth half his age". energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity "an energetic campaigner". strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging "the strenuous life on an oil rig". lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment "a lusty appetite for life". nervous suggests esp. the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor "full of nervous energy".