vitals

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the internal organs essential to life, especially the heart, lungs, and brain

   The blade missed his vitals by inches.

2. 2
   noun

   the most important or indispensable parts of a system

   The cyberattack struck at the vitals of the payment network.

3. 3
   noun

   measurements of basic bodily functions, such as pulse, breathing, blood pressure, and temperature

   The nurse checked her vitals before the examination.

A plural noun formed from vital, from Middle English vital via Old French from Latin vītālis ("of or belonging to life"), based on vīta ("life"). The noun first denoted organs necessary for life, then the indispensable core of anything; the medical sense is shortened from vital signs.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images