dictionary definitions for "alive"


From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:

  alive
      adj 1: possessing life; "the happiest person alive"; "the nerve
             is alive"; "doctors are working hard to keep him alive";
             "burned alive"; "a live canary" [syn: {alive(p)}, live]
             [ant: dead]
      2: (often followed by `with') full of life and spirit; "she was
         wonderfully alive for her age"; "a face alive with mischief"
      3: having life or vigor or spirit; "an animated and expressive
         face"; "animated conversation"; "became very animated when he
         heard the good news" [syn: animated, alive] [ant:
         unanimated]
      4: (followed by `to' or `of') aware of; "is alive to the moods
         of others"
      5: in operation; "keep hope alive"; "the tradition was still
         alive"; "an active tradition" [syn: active, {alive(p)}]
      6: mentally perceptive and responsive;"an alert mind"; "alert to
         the problems"; "alive to what is going on"; "awake to the
         dangers of her situation"; "was now awake to the reality of
         his predicament" [syn: alert, {alive(p)}, {awake(p)}]
      7: capable of erupting; "a live volcano"; "the volcano is very
         much alive" [syn: alive, live]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Alive \A*live"\, a. [OE. on live, AS. on l[imac]fe in life;
     l[imac]fe being dat. of l[imac]f life. See Life, and cf.
     Live, a.]
     1. Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a
        state in which the organs perform their functions; as, an
        animal or a plant which is alive.
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     2. In a state of action; in force or operation;
        unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire
        alive; to keep the affections alive.
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     3. Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings;
        swarming; thronged.
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              The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with
              muskets and green boughs.             --Macaulay.
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     4. Sprightly; lively; brisk. --Richardson.
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     5. Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively
        feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
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              Tremblingly alive to nature's laws.   --Falconer.
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     6. Of all living (by way of emphasis).
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              Northumberland was the proudest man alive.
                                                    --Clarendon.
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     Note: Used colloquially as an intensive; as, man alive!
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     Note: Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.
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