alive

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Having life; living; not dead.

   As long as the plant is alive, he will continue to water it.

2. 2
   adj

   In a state of action; in force or operation; existent.

   to keep the fire alive

3. 3
   adj

   Busy with activity of many living beings; swarming; thronged; busy.

   Although quite dull during the day, the main street comes alive at night, with many bars and clubs opening.

4. 4
   adj

   Carrying electrical current; energized.

   DANGER: OVERHEAD CATENARY—WIRE IS ALIVE

5. 5
   adj

   Aware of; sensitive to.

   We are alive to the ongoing potential for terrorist attacks.

6. 6
   adj

   Sprightly; lively; brisk.

   Smouch, requesting Mr. Pickwick in a surly manner ‘to be as alive as he could, for it was a busy time,’ drew up a chair by the door and sat there, until he had finished dressing.

7. 7
   adj

   Susceptible, sensitive; easy to impress; having keen feelings, as opposed to apathy.

   Though tremblingly alive to Nature's laws, Yet ever firm to Honour's sacred cause

8. 8
   adj

   Out of all living creatures.

   The Whitest Boy Alive

Etymology

From Middle English alive, alife, olive, olife, on live, on life, from Old English on līfe (“alive”, literally “in life" or "in (the) body”), from on (“on, in”) + līfe, dative singular of līf (“life”). In this sense, replaced Old English cwic (whence English quick). Equivalent to a- + life. Compare Dutch in leven (“alive”, literally “in life”), German am Leben (“alive”, literally “at life" or "at living”).