Vital
Pronunciation
- enPR: vī'təl, IPA: /ˈvaɪtəl/
- Rhymes: -aɪtəl
Origin
From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin vÄ«tÄlis ("of life, life-giving"), from vÄ«ta ("life"), from vÄ«vÅ ("live").
Full definition of vital
Adjective
vital
- Relating to, or characteristic of life.vital energies; vital functions; vital actions
- Necessary to the continuation of life; being the seat of life; being that on which life depends.The brain is a vital organ.
- SpenserDo the heavens afford him vital food?
- Invigorating or life-giving.
- Necessary to continued existence.The transition to farming was vital for the creation of civilisation.
- Relating to the recording of life events.Birth, marriage and death certificates are vital records.
- Very important.It is vital that you don't forget to do your homework.
- 2012-12-21, Simon Jenkins, We mustn't overreact to North Korea boys' toys, David Cameron insists that his latest communications data bill is “vital to counter terrorismâ€. Yet terror is mayhem. It is no threat to freedom. That threat is from counter-terror, from ministers capitulating to securocrats.
- Containing life; living.
- Miltonspirits that live throughout, vital in every part
- Alexander PopeThe dart flew on, and pierced a vital part.
- Capable of living; in a state to live; viable.
- Sir Thomas BrownePythagoras and Hippocrates ... affirm the birth of the seventh month to be vital.