Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Life \Life\ (l[imac]f), n.; pl. {Lives} (l[imac]vz). [AS.
   l[imac]f; akin to D. lijf body, G. leib body, MHG. l[imac]p
   life, body, OHG. l[imac]b life, Icel. l[imac]f, life, body,
   Sw. lif, Dan. liv, and E. live, v. [root]119. See {Live}, and
   cf. {Alive}.]
   1. The state of being which begins with generation, birth, or
      germination, and ends with death; also, the time during
      which this state continues; that state of an animal or
      plant in which all or any of its organs are capable of
      performing all or any of their functions; -- used of all
      animal and vegetable organisms.

   2. Of human beings: The union of the soul and body; also, the
      duration of their union; sometimes, the deathless quality
      or existence of the soul; as, man is a creature having an
      immortal life.

            She shows a body rather than a life.  --Shak.

   3. (Philos) The potential principle, or force, by which the
      organs of animals and plants are started and continued in
      the performance of their several and co["o]perative
      functions; the vital force, whether regarded as physical
      or spiritual.

   4. Figuratively: The potential or animating principle, also,
      the period of duration, of anything that is conceived of
      as resembling a natural organism in structure or
      functions; as, the life of a state, a machine, or a book;
      authority is the life of government.

   5. A certain way or manner of living with respect to
      conditions, circumstances, character, conduct, occupation,
      etc.; hence, human affairs; also, lives, considered
      collectively, as a distinct class or type; as, low life; a
      good or evil life; the life of Indians, or of miners.

            That which before us lies in daily life. --Milton.

            By experience of life abroad in the world. --Ascham.

            Lives of great men all remind us We can make our
            lives sublime.                        --Longfellow.

            'T is from high life high characters are drawn.
                                                  --Pope

   6. Animation; spirit; vivacity; vigor; energy.

            No notion of life and fire in fancy and in words.
                                                  --Felton.

            That gives thy gestures grace and life.
                                                  --Wordsworth.

   7. That which imparts or excites spirit or vigor; that upon
      which enjoyment or success depends; as, he was the life of
      the company, or of the enterprise.

   8. The living or actual form, person, thing, or state; as, a
      picture or a description from the life.

   9. A person; a living being, usually a human being; as, many
      lives were sacrificed.

   10. The system of animal nature; animals in general, or
       considered collectively.

             Full nature swarms with life.        --Thomson.

   11. An essential constituent of life, esp. the blood.

             The words that I speak unto you . . . they are
             life.                                --John vi. 63.

             The warm life came issuing through the wound.
                                                  --Pope

   12. A history of the acts and events of a life; a biography;
       as, Johnson wrote the life of Milton.

   13. Enjoyment in the right use of the powers; especially, a
       spiritual existence; happiness in the favor of God;
       heavenly felicity.

   14. Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; --
       used as a term of endearment.

   Note: Life forms the first part of many compounds, for the
         most part of obvious meaning; as, life-giving,
         life-sustaining, etc.

   {Life annuity}, an annuity payable during one's life.

   {Life arrow}, {Life rocket}, {Life shot}, an arrow, rocket,
      or shot, for carrying an attached line to a vessel in
      distress in order to save life.

   {Life assurance}. See {Life insurance}, below.