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lifeblood

 - 2 dictionary results

life⋅blood

[lahyf-bluhd]
–noun
1. the blood, considered as essential to maintain life: to spill one's lifeblood in war.
2. a life-giving, vital, or animating element: Agriculture is the lifeblood of the country.

Origin:
1580–90; life + blood
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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life·blood   (līf'blŭd')   
n.  
  1. Blood regarded as essential for life.

  2. An indispensable or vital part: Capable workers are the lifeblood of the business.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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