| 释义 |
vi·tal
\ˈvīd.əl, -ītəl\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin vitalis of life, from vita life + -alis -al; akin to Latin vivere to live — more at quick
1.
a. : existing as a manifestation of life
< vital powers >
< recognizing no mystic vital force >
b. : concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life
< blood and other vital fluids >
< the loss of vital heat in shock >
especially : performing an essential role in the living body
< vital organs >
< wounded in a vital spot >
2.
a. : having or characterized by life : animate
< a vital being >
b. : full of life and vigor : energetic, animated
< spirits that live throughout, vital in every part — John Milton >
< this whole vital world >
3. : characteristic of life or living beings : inhering in the living or organic
< vital activities >
< expending vital energies >
4.
a. : concerned with or affecting life especially in some fundamental manner: as
(1) : tending to renew or refresh the living : invigorating
< warmed by the vital rays of heaven's sun >
(2) : destructive to life : fatal, mortal
< a vital wound >
b. : of the utmost importance : essential to the continued existence, vigor, efficiency, independence, or value of something expressed or implied
< a vital point to the argument >
< matters vital to the national security >
often : taking priority in consideration over other factors or elements
< it is vital to know what he plans >
5. obsolete : capable of living : viable
6. : recording the chief data relating to lives
< vital records >
— see vital statistics
7. : of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues (as by injecting a dye into a living animal)
Synonyms: see essential |