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.
Hear it pronounced