Collins English-English Dictionary

life [laɪf]

1. 1. n the state or quality that distinguishes living beings or organisms from dead ones and from inorganic matter, characterized chiefly by metabolism, growth, and the ability to reproduce and respond to stimuli

2. 2. n the period between birth and death

3. 3. n a living person or being

   to save a life

4. 4. n the time between birth and the present time

5. 5. n the remainder or extent of one's life

6. 6. n (as modifier)

   a life sentence

   life membership

   life subscription

   life work

7. 7. n short for life imprisonment

8. 8. n the amount of time that something is active or functioning

   the life of a battery

9. 9. n a present condition, state, or mode of existence

   my life is very dull here

10. 10. n a biography

11. 11. n (as modifier)

    a life story

12. 12. n a characteristic state or mode of existence

    town life

13. 13. n (as modifier)

    life style

14. 14. n the sum or course of human events and activities

15. 15. n liveliness or high spirits

    full of life

16. 16. n a source of strength, animation, or vitality

    he was the life of the show

17. 17. n all living things, taken as a whole

    there is no life on Mars

    plant life

18. 18. n sparkle, as of wines

19. 19. n strong or high flavour, as of fresh food

20. 20. n [modifier] [arts] drawn or taken from a living model

    life drawing

    a life mask

21. 21. n another name for lifetime

22. 22. n [physics] (in certain games) one of a number of opportunities of participation

23. 23. n [Etymology] Old English lif; related to Old High German lib, Old Norse lif life, body