élan vital


élan vi·tal

E0064900 (vē-tăl′) n. The vital impulse hypothesized by Henri Bergson as the creative source of the evolution of life and consciousness in nature. Also called life force.
[French : élan, ardor + vital, vital.]

élan vital

(elɑ̃ vital) n (Philosophy) a creative principle held by Henri Bergson to be present in all organisms and responsible for evolution. Compare Bergsonism[literally: vital impetus]

é•lan vi•tal

(Fr. eɪ lɑ̃ viˈtal)
n. (esp. in Bergsonian philosophy) the vital or creative force in all organisms that is responsible for growth and evolution. [1905–10; < French: literally, vital ardor]
Thesaurus
Noun1.elan vital - (biology) a hypothetical force (not physical or chemical) once thought by Henri Bergson to cause the evolution and development of organismslife force, vital force, vitalitybiological science, biology - the science that studies living organismsforce - (physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity; "force equals mass times acceleration"

élan vital

nounThe vital principle or animating force within living beings:breath, divine spark, life force, psyche, soul, spirit, vital force, vitality.