A*live" (&?;), a. [OE. on live, AS.
on līfe in life; līfe being dat. of
līf life. See Life, and cf. Live,
a.] 1. Having life, in opposition to
dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their
functions; as, an animal or a plant which is alive.
2. In a state of action; in force or operation;
unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire alive; to
keep the affections alive.
3. Exhibiting the activity and motion of many
living beings; swarming; thronged.
The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with
muskets and green boughs.
Macaulay.
4. Sprightly; lively; brisk.
Richardson.
5. Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having
lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
Tremblingly alive to nature's laws.
Falconer.
6. Of all living (by way of emphasis).
Northumberland was the proudest man alive.
Clarendon.
Used colloquially as an intensive; as, man alive!
&fist; Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.
