[alive] adj [ME, fr. OE on life, fr. on + lif life] (bef. 12c) 1: having life: not dead or inanimate
2: still in existence, force, or operation: active "kept hope ~"
3: knowing or realizing the existence of: sensitive "~ to the danger"
4: marked by alertness, energy, or briskness
5: marked by much life, animation, or activity: swarming "streets ~ with traffic" 6--used as an intensive following the noun "the proudest boy ~" syn see aware -- alive.ness n