释义 |
aliveadj.Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: on prep., life n. Etymology: < on prep. + the dative singular of life n. In later use with reduction of the first element: with β. forms compare a prep.1, with γ. forms compare o , variant of on prep. Compare also later of life at life n. Phrases 1b, apparently with reanalysis of the first element as a reduced form of of prep. (compare a prep.2).History of forms. Originally with intervocalic voicing of the medial fricative in Old English līfe , the dative singular of life n., which is preserved (word-finally) in modern standard English alive (see Forms 1cβ at life n. and compare discussion at that entry). It is unclear whether later forms with f such as Middle English alife at β. forms are purely graphic or reflect levelling of the unvoiced fricative from the uninflected noun; sporadic modern instances of the form alife apparently reflect misapprehensions of the modern English word, rather than showing continuity with earlier forms. In early Middle English an liuen at α. forms (from the Caligula manuscript of Laȝamon’s Brut) showing nunnation, a very common feature of the language of this text in this manuscript, which has not been satisfactorily explained. With the β. forms compare also Middle English ilīve , in the same sense ( < in life at life n. Phrases 1a, with reduction of the first element). Adverbial use. Originally an adverbial phrase which was gradually reanalysed as an adjective. It is difficult to say exactly at which stage reanalysis as an adjective rather than an adverb can be assumed to have taken place; compare the derivative alive-like adj., and attributive use in e.g. quot. 1568 at sense 3a, which seem to presuppose it. Old English on līfe , Middle English on live , alive , olive are also attested in more purely adverbial senses, as e.g. ‘during (a person's) life, while in this earthly life, in the world’, and also as an adverbial intensifier (compare sense 1b); compare the following: OE Genesis A (1931) 2611 Seo on life wæs wintrum yldre.OE Ælfric Old Test. Summary: Maccabees (Julius) in W. W. Skeat Ælfric's Lives of Saints (1900) II. 110 Ne gewurðe hit na on life, þæt we alecgan ure wuldor mid earhlicum fleame.OE Ælfric Homily (Cambr. Ii.4.6) in J. C. Pope Homilies of Ælfric (1967) I. 482 Heo ne mot na beon geedlæht on þam menn, þæt he tuwa underfo fulluhtes on life [c1175 Bodl. 343 on life].c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Bodl.) 453 [Juliana] bigon to beaten þen belial of helle..& heo leide on se luðerliche þet wa wes him o liue.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 691 Wel wes him on liue [c1300 Otho aliue].c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12815 Nute we on liue þeh he heo nabbe to wife.c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Laud) (1901) l. 1484 Ne wiste horn on liue Whare he was a Ryue.a1450 (?c1421) J. Lydgate Siege Thebes (Arun.) (1911) l. 2977 Thogh all thise..were a-lyve most konnyng and experte.Compare also Middle English no thing on live , in sense ‘nothing in the world, nothing in existence’ (compare senses 1b and 2):a1275 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 49 Nis non þinc on liue of so ateliche bloe.c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 381 He may not speke a word for no þing alyue. Chiefly in predicative use. 1. the world > life > source or principle of life > [adjective] > opposed to dead the world > life > source or principle of life > [adverb] > alive α. OE (Corpus Cambr.) xxvii. 63 We gemunon þæt se swica sæde þa he on life wæs [L. adhuc vivens], æfter þrym dagon ic arise. OE Wulfstan (Hatton) (1957) 150 Se gefreoda.., eal þæt Iudeisce folc þe þa on life wæs & let hy faran ham to [heora] earde. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 3105 Manige ðor sorge on liue bead, And manige weren rewlike dead. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 259 Þey þat were lefte on lyve. 1483 in G. Neilson & H. Paton (1918) II. Introd. p. cxxvii To prufe..that Thomas Blak..was on life. a1500 (?a1450) (BL Add. 9066) (1879) 285 The Steward..went and bete him and lefte hym halfe on lyve. a1500 (Trin. Cambr.) l. 4204 Fair sir, saue my life, lete me on-lif go. 1576 W. Lambarde 60 About whiche time Geffray of Monmouthe was on liue also. a1600 (a1463) J. Fortescue (1869) I. 498 It hath not been seene..that the issue of a woman by reason of his moder hath be a Kinge of anie lande while there was issue masle on live. 1687 f. 4v Whether he be dead or on life. 1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Knight's Tale in 602 For he was yet in memory, and on liue, And alway cryeng after Emely. 1750 in (1935) II. 807 Mary M'Kinlay residenter in Glasgow only sister german on life and heir apparent to the now deceased John M'Kinlay maltman in Glasgow. 1806 R. Jamieson I. 57 Fareweel to thee..The dearest youth on life to me. 1889 J. Payne tr. 60 Who is thine uncle and whence hast thou an uncle on life? β. a1200 (?c1175) Poema Morale (Trin. Cambr.) 32 in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 221 Be for him self afric man þe hwile he beð aliue.c1300 (Harl. 2277) (1845) l. 67 Whar he scholde alyve this Gilbert fynde.c1450 Med. Recipes (BL Add. 33996) in F. Heinrich (1896) 138 Ȝef þe netle be alyue, hit is a sygne of lyf.1538 T. Starkey ii. ii. 136 Theyr parentys being Alyfe.c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 146v Achilles..Might socour his Soudiours & saue hom alyue.1600 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 68 God rest his soule aliue or dead. View more context for this quotation1611 Josh. ii. 13 Saue aliue my father. View more context for this quotation1680 J. Kea 4 I see ye are aw alive te year, but Gad kens who will be alife neext.1696 T. Southerne i. ii. 10 If my Husband were alive, Gadsbodykins, you wou'd not use me so.1711 R. Steele No. 254. ⁋2 To be married I find is to be buried alive.1763 V. 284 Lobsters roasted alife [1713 alive], Pigs whipp'd to death, Fowls sewed up, are testimonies of our outragious luxury.1789 (new ed.) vi. 204 Take your cod whilst alive, and cut it in slices.1793 M. J. Randolph Let. 16 May in T. Jefferson (1995) XXVI. 53 Your chess nuts are all alive but one and the acasia's all dead but one.1833 1 190 If an alive bearded tit be taken into the hand, and examined..the resemblance of its physiognomy to that of a shrike is very striking.1842 Ld. Tennyson May Queen (new ed.) Concl. i, in (new ed.) I. 169 I thought to pass away before, and yet alive I am.1864 B. Lloyd 40 Unless God keep her alife.1915 W. S. Maugham lxxxvii. 455 We've had twelve children and nine of them are alive.1932 9 Sept. 236/1 Murray succeeded in keeping meningococcic cultures alive for 6 months to 1 year on Dorset's egg medium.1980 S. J. Brams iv. 59/1 An alive Cain wandering the earth can tell the world that God punished him but mercifully spared his life.2010 11 Jan. 32/1 If Napoleon were alive today, I'm sure he would say we are no longer a nation of shopkeepers but a nation of shoppers.γ. a1300 (c1275) (1991) l. 522 In herte haueð him niȝt & dai, so he were oliue ai.a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 17022 (MED) Kynd na saul suffers ar to part wit man o-liue.c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) 4055 (MED) Neuire to dee..bot euire dure olyue.a1525 ( (1908) II. 291 (MED) All the landis olyve shall obey hym vn-to.the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [noun] > state of being non-specific > unspecified thing(s) > anyone OE Wulfstan (Hatton 113) 233 Nis ænig man on life swa wær þæt he over ealne geares fæc him swa wel wið deofol gescyldan mæge swa swa he beðorfte. c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) (1940) l. 269 (MED) Þeo beoð to alle oliue iliche imeane. c1300 (Laud) (1868) l. 2865 (MED) Ich shal yeue þe to wiue Þe fairest þing that is oliue. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 535 Ouer hard to eny man on lyue. a1450 (Faust.) (1883) l. 3171 Glad & blythe was eueryche a lyff. a1525 ( (1908) II. 291 (MED) All the landis olyve shall obey hym vn-to. 1554 D. Lindsay Dialog Experience & Courteour l. 5062 in (1931) I To peirs the hartis Off euerilk Creature on lyue. 1653 J. Taylor xxi. 274 The meanest person alive does not think himself fit to be despised. 1679 J. Dryden 85 First, let's behold the merriest man alive Against his careless genius vainly strive. 1711 R. Steele No. 167. ⁋3 I should be the most contented happy man alive. 1796 M. G. Lewis III. ix. 69 Oh! I am the most unfortunate woman alive! My house is filled with ghosts and dead bodies, and the Lord knows what besides. 1857 T. P. Thompson (1858) I. xxii. 81 There is no assignable cause; man alive cannot tell a reason why. 1896 A. Morrison xxi. 205 Canary was the sole creature alive that could understand and feel with him. 1925 May 48/1 Gosh, I thought he was the handsomest thing alive. 1953 16 Nov. 175 He ignored the warnings that no man alive could take a canoe over that drop. 2007 A. Samuels (2008) iv. 53 The sound of his name sends chills down the spine of pretty much any woman alive. 2. Of a thing. Frequently in to keep (something) alive. 1557 R. Edgeworth xiiii. f. ccxxiv We muste not leaue anye litell sinne alyue, but kyll theim all. 1602 R. Carew i. f. 38v Cornish Gentlemen vse all possible remedies..to keepe it [sc. a custom] on liue. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. i. 484 There is scarse truth enough aliue to make Societies secure. View more context for this quotation 1710 S. Palmer 245 A jest keeps an ill story alive and in countenance, and gives it a rotation. 1756 E. Burke 77 Our boasted Liberty..has been only kept alive by the Blasts of continual Feuds. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. 74 He kept discontent constantly alive. 1876 E. A. Freeman III. xiii. 277 The political constitution once common to every Teutonic people was still alive in England. 1929 E. V. Lucas 50 When verbs are formed from criminals' names their fame or infamy is kept alive for ever. 1989 D. H. Fischer 44 The memory of their depredation was very much alive in 1630. 2011 P. McGregor tr. A. Vaksberg xviii. 206 Moscow..kept alive the hope that Ukraine would move closer to Russia. the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > [adjective] 1571 J. Bridges 84 There is nought in vs but death of synne, there is no sparke alyue. 1626 T. Adams i. 8 Humilitie is not onely a vertue it selfe, but a vessell to containe other vertues: like embers, which keepe the fire aliue that is hidden vnder it. 1698 J. Fryer 265 Attributing Divine Honour to the Fire, maintaining it always alive in the Delubriums, or Places set apart for their Worship. a1734 R. North (1740) iii. vi. §69. 474 The Dutch had acted the volant, and done enough, on the one Side or the other, to have kept the Fire alive. 1779 N. W. Wraxall Let. 2 Feb. in (1799) II. 139 The utmost care is necessary to keep the lamps perpetually alive. 1819 W. Irving ii. 113 They still kept alive the sparks of future friendship. 1897 B. Stoker xxvii. 374 It is morning, and I write by a fire which all the night I have kept alive. 1916 M. A. Cannon (Ph.D. thesis, Catholic Univ. of Amer.) iv. 137 Marguerite kept alive the flames of contempt for religious authority enkindled by her mother. 1965 Jan. 16/3 When the coal was gone, he splintered a seat board with the steel ice spud, then another, struggling to keep his fire alive. 2008 J. Quinn xxi. 109 The fire in the kitchen was kept alive by a bellows. 1778 W. Pryce 315/2 Alive, that part of the Lode which contains Tin, Copper, or Lead, and is worth the saving and dressing for the furnace, in opposition to that part of the Lode which is dead or barren, and holds no Metal. 1845 S. Judd ii. i. 186 Her Mother ‘stirs it off’ and a due quantity of the ‘quick’ and ‘alive’ crystal sweet is the result. 1892 A. C. Gunter xvi. 234 The locomotives..are moving about slowly, with a view to keeping themselves what is technically called ‘alive’—that is their steam up, sufficient to give them power of motion. 1937 13 Apr. p. xxv/2 The spare parts department..carries approximately 40,000 different components, all of which are kept ‘alive’ for a period of no less than five years. 1943 ‘T. Dudley-Gordon’ ii. 20 It [sc. a torpedo] becomes ‘alive’ only after running through the water for a certain distance, so that the arming vane rotates a certain number of times. 2010 L. Burn iii. 102 I had to pump the throttle hard to keep the engine alive. 3. the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > of things, qualities, etc. > not deprived of vigour the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > brisk or active the mind > emotion > excitement > excitability of temperament > spiritedness or liveliness > [adjective] 1568 W. Fulwood iv. 133 In your faire forehead and shynyng eyes, loue sheweth it selfe alwayes apparelled with Liberalitie, whiche things haue boldened my halfe aliue heart. 1709 J. Dennis iii. i. 26 You Rogues, who stand unmov'd like senceless Stones, Nay are not half so much alive as Statues. 1748 S. Richardson VII. 387 For Rest she allotted Six hours only. She thought herself not so well, so clear in her intellects (so much alive, she used to say) if she exceeded this proportion. 1828 M. R. Mitford III. 276 The most entertaining person, the most alive of any one I met there. 1834 F. Marryat I. i. 15 We must be at the wharf early to-morrow morning, so keep alive. 1889 Apr. 744/1 She was so alive and throbbing with youth and beauty. 1938 E. Bowen iii. i. 329 Portia said, in a hardly alive voice: ‘I thought you said you had finished everything.’ 1959 D. Eden xix. 150 Her intensely alive face..her eager response. 2001 A. Bissett 181 I feel heightened, alive, muscle-bound. the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > [adjective] > constantly moving about > swarming with things in motion 1731 R. Lewis Food for Criticks in 28 June 1/1 The distant Mountains..all alive with woolly Flocks appear. 1789 J. Morse 205 The markets are alive with them [sc. fish]. 1808 W. Scott v. vi. 249 All was alive with martial show. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. 361 The whole river was alive with wherries. 1872 W. Black xxvi. 362 The hotel was all alive with elderly ladies. 1905 25 39 At a height of 5000 or 6000 feet the bushes and grass were alive with chattering flocks of rose starlings. 1956 P. O'Brian vii. 113 The hitherto clean-swept deck was alive with men as the crew prepared to hand the topsails. 2003 (National ed.) 17 June a3/1 A skyline alive with construction cranes. 1834 T. Pringle vii. 247 All alive with the amusing garrulity of monkeys and paroquets. 1882 Mar. 655/2 The air is alive with the high-pitched cries of women. 1919 J. Masefield 3 The stables were alive with din. 1993 Nov. 78/3 The midway: alive with the sounds of vendors selling unique and covetable wares. 2008 E. Royte iii. 64 The air is alive with the peeping of chickadees and the skronk of blue jays. the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > [adjective] 1844 June 396/2 St. James's aisle, Whose fretted vault, alive with colour, shades Bedizened shrines and Carving's rarest skill! 1892 Mar. 223 She filled the place; it was alive with her presence. It was the most thrillingly alive place he had visited since he left it twenty-five years ago. 1922 C. A. Schumacher 2nd Ser. 38 When I stand among my pines and look westward, I see a world alive with happiness. 1976 9 Dec. 610/3 Like my tutor,..he could make the subject come alive, combining the affection of a naturalist with the more analytical approach of a research zoologist. 2010 T. Mathews i. 6 The atmosphere was breaking all the rules; the clouds were alive with pure malevolence. the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > [adjective] > conscious 1592 G. Babington (xxxv.) f. 139v Fie of this folly if wee bee aliue, and not dead in heart to God and grace. a1617 P. Baynes (1620) sig. C6v My Letters shall open these two things vnto you so farre as I am able, if you are aliue to receiue it. 1733 A. Pope i. 223 His Touch, if tremblingly alive all o'er, To smart. 1796 J. Morse (new ed.) I. 319 A people feelingly alive to every thing that could affect the rights for which they had been contending. 1819 W. Irving i. 33 My feelings were yet alive on the subject. 1878 R. B. Smith 139 Both sides were fully alive to the vital importance of the crisis. 1920 May 166/2 There are black sheep in every flock but on the whole the modern midwife is alive to her great responsibilities. 1959 D. Wright iii. 79 The Italians in particular are alive to the possibilities of using traditional spale and willow shapes in new ways. 1996 7 Dec. 29/3 Most other countries are alive to this problem. 5. the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electric charge, electricity > [adjective] 1884 J. Chambers xxxvii. 396 Trying the first, he found it ‘live’—an electric current was passing on it...Then he tried all the wires, and found every one of them ‘alive’. 1921 13 Aug. 327/1 Where equipment or lines can be made alive from two or more sources, all such sources must be disconnected. 1958 1 ii. 6/1 If the casing becomes alive and you touch it while in contact with the bath, you may get electrocuted. 1979 Nov. 128/1 If the circuit is alive, then chances are the transformer is dead and must be replaced. 2009 J. Bredenberg iv. 60 Make sure a circuit is alive before you ‘kill’ it. the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical appliances or devices > [adjective] 1928 Feb. 127/1 The great moment had arrived and the mike was at last alive and listening. 1961 I. 53/3 Despite the hurricane the phone was still alive. 1988 Oct. 172/3 The radar was alive, although I couldn't remember having switched it on. Phrasesthe world > life > source or principle of life > [phrase] ?1590 A. Munday tr. xxi. f. 110 Your Amadis is yet aliue and wel. 1660 T. Forde 122 It is not enough that you are alive and well, unless you tell me so. 1775 S. Johnson 13 July (1992) II. 246 Mr. Flints little girl is alive and well. 1858 B. W. Richardson App. 451 The animal recovered without the slightest indication of injury, and it is alive and well now. 1864 B. J. Sulivan Let. 18 Mar. in C. Darwin (2001) XII. 81 I was saying to Usborne how very unusual it was to find all our Beagle party (that is the executives) alive and well after 33 years. 1912 12 This old Association has thrived and done much for bee-keeping... It is alive and well at the present day. 1968 17 Feb. 7/4 A new show called ‘Jacques Brel is alive and well and living in Paris’. 1977 (Atlantic ed.) 5 Sept. 52/3 The last English eccentric is alive and well and living comfortably in Oakland. 1986 Feb. 19/2 Bigotry is alive and well in my community. 2009 5 Jan. 6/2 Chuck Berry..is still alive and well and fully capable of reelin' and rockin'. 1691 xi. 67 The Bodies of the Dead..shall be gathered together again; all the scattered dust packed together, and in an instant be revived and come alive. 1735 10 Apr. Even the dead Palatine of Kiow is now come alive again, and has wrote to King Augustus, that he hoped to be at Warsaw in a very few Days. 1854 1 124 She looked like a Greek statue that had come alive, and by mere contact classicised its modern dress. 1946 June 84/1 The crew came alive that minute, everyone sensing that a race was on. 1961 C. Beaton Diary Aug. in (1979) xxiii. 343 The Villa Maser, brightly lit in the motionless night, came alive as the guests arrived. 1994 V. M. Jagla vii. 137 When we make lessons ‘come alive’.., by..role-playing, or other imaginative methods, we are creating excitement in the classroom. 2010 (National ed.) 10 Sept. b12/5 The team seemed to come alive last Thursday in a game at Colorado. ?1710 7 Can any Man of common Sense think it..not much beneath the Dignity of a Philosopher, to stand bawling before his own Dore—Alive! Alive! Hoa! 1793 J. Lackington (rev. ed.) iii. 51 He heard a woman cry, ‘Mackerel, all alive, alive O!’ 1825 T. Creevey Let. 16 Mar. in J. Gore (1963) xii. 205 Our York is all alive O! He dined at Sefton's this day week as gay as a lark. 1854 J. R. Planché i. iv. 16 Sub. Girls, where's your mother? Chloe. Coming at a wish. Sub. She is—and all alive O! like your fish. 1883 J. Yorkston in W. H. Hills 55 She drove a wheelbarrow thro' streets broad and narrow, Crying ‘Cockles and mussels, alive, all a-live.’ 1941 ‘N. Blake’ xix. 215 He and Andrew have skipped together, both alive-oh. 1956 ‘M. Innes’ i. x. 91 Joscelyn..was suddenly struck all of a heap by Edward's all alive-oh Grecian girl. 2004 Sept. 107/1 With a smile of satisfaction he would pop one into his mouth all alive-o. 1780 S. Lee iv. 70 Why, be ye in arnest then? dear heart alive! 1839 C. M. Kirkland xxiv. 157 Man alive! what do you put yourself into such a plaguy passion for? 1843 C. Dickens iii. 89 Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are! 1848 A. Trollope III. vii. 161 Why, man alive, the ogre can't eat you! 1883 Dec. 91/2 Good sakes alive!—what harm? 1920 Jan. 185/1 ‘Good Lord alive!’ he breathed. ‘Good Lord! No!’ 1922 E. Raymond ix. 122 I thought we'd be last for the Swimming Cup. But snakes alive! we'll get in the semi-final. 1998 B. Kingsolver (1999) ii. 127 Man alive, don't even get me started. 2003 S. Mawer (2004) xiii. 197 ‘Christ alive!’ she yelled, when she was once again in balance. 1830 M. Barnett i. i. 4 Now do look alive, Mariette, and get all the pewter polished. 1853 C. M. Smith xii. 278 We are breaking the neck of the business, and shall accomplish the undertaking in time if we ‘look alive’. 1858 T. Hughes 29 The Squire..told the men to look alive and get their job done. 1926 W. B. Maxwell 166 Look alive. Take them heavy boxes in first. 1968 J. Kirkpatrick 6 Here she comes, so look alive. 2009 B. Fitzpatrick vi. 82 ‘I need two captains for softball,’ she hollered. ‘Come on, look alive. Let's see some hands in the air!’ This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † alivev.Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: a- prefix1, live v.1 Etymology: < a- prefix1 + live v.1 Compare ylive v. Obsolete. the world > life > source or principle of life > [verb (intransitive)] eOE tr. Orosius (BL Add.) (1980) i. ii. 22 Hy..on bilwitnesse hyra lif alyfdon [L. in pace uiuentes]. OE (Claud.) xxi. 22 Gyf..hwylc slyhð eacniende wif & hi bearnlease gedeð & heo aleofað [L. vixerit], bete swa micel swa ðæs wifes wer gyrnð. a1225 ( Ælfric's Homily De Duodecim Abusivis (Lamb. 487) in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 109 Ȝunge monnan mei tweonian hweðer hi moten alibban [OE Corpus Cambr. 178 libban]. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2020). < adj.OEv.eOE |