Definition of "life" in Anglais

noun

1. (uncountable) The state of organisms preceding their death, characterized by biological processes such as metabolism and reproduction and distinguishing them from inanimate objects; the state of being alive and living.

   • I want my kids to live a good life.  He gave up on life.

2. The animating principle or force that keeps an inorganic thing or concept metaphorically alive (dynamic, relevant, etc) and makes it a "living document", "living constitution", etc.

3. Lifeforms, generally or collectively.

   • It's life, but not as we know it. She discovered plant life on the planet. The rover discovered signs of life on the alien world.

4. (countable) A living being; the fact of a particular individual being alive. (Chiefly when indicating individuals were lost (died) or saved.)

   • Many lives were lost during the war. Her quick thinking saved many dogs' lives.

5. Existence.

   • Man's life on this planet has been marked by continual conflict.
   • the eternal life of the soul

6. A period of time during which something has existence.

7. Animation; spirit; vivacity.

8. A biography.

   • His life of the founder is finished, except for the title.

9. Nature, reality, and the forms that exist in it.

10. An opportunity for existence.

11. (uncountable, insurance) The life insurance industry.

    • I work in life.

12. (countable) A life assured under a life assurance policy (equivalent to the policy itself for a single life contract).

verb

1. (aviation) To replace components whose operational lifetime has expired.

   • Now, the aim of the design is to extract more cycles from the component under study, at each new engine generation requirements are driving a reduction in the margin for the error, as parts cannot stand any drop in properties. Thus, the lifing procedures are refined by means of new models or additional specific testing for limiting features to increase the life of the components; […]

interjection

1. (obsolete) Synonym of God's life (an oath).