adj.
Pronunciation: ' v ī -t ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin vitalis of life, from vita life; akin to Latin vivere to live ― more at QUICK
Date: 14th century
1 a : existing as a manifestation of life b : concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life < vital organs> <blood and other vital fluids>
2 : full of life and vigor : ANIMATED
3 : characteristic of life or living beings
4 a : fundamentally concerned with or affecting life or living beings: as (1) : tending to renew or refresh the living : INVIGORATING (2) : destructive to life : MORTAL b : of the utmost importance <a vital clue> < vital resources>
5 : recording data relating to lives
6 : of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues
synonyms see ESSENTIAL
– vi · tal · ly \ -t ə l- ē \ adverb