ˈvīd. ə l, -īt ə l adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin vitalis of life, from vita life + -alis -al; akin to Latin vivere to live — more at quick
1.
a. : existing as a manifestation of life
vital powers
recognizing no mystic vital force
b. : concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life
blood and other vital fluids
the loss of vital heat in shock
especially : performing an essential role in the living body
vital organs
wounded in a vital spot
2.
a. : having or characterized by life : animate
a vital being
b. : full of life and vigor : energetic , animated
spirits that live throughout, vital in every part — John Milton
this whole vital world
3. : characteristic of life or living beings : inhering in the living or organic
vital activities
expending vital energies
4.
a. : concerned with or affecting life especially in some fundamental manner: as
(1) : tending to renew or refresh the living : invigorating
warmed by the vital rays of heaven's sun
(2) : destructive to life : fatal , mortal
a vital wound
b. : of the utmost importance : essential to the continued existence, vigor, efficiency, independence, or value of something expressed or implied
a vital point to the argument
matters vital to the national security
often : taking priority in consideration over other factors or elements
it is vital to know what he plans
5. obsolete : capable of living : viable
6. : recording the chief data relating to lives
vital records
— see vital statistics
7. : of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues (as by injecting a dye into a living animal)
Synonyms: see essential