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live·ly
Audio Help / ˈlaɪv li / Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation [ lahyv -lee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation adjective, -li·er, -li·est, adverb –adjective 1. full or suggestive of life or vital energy; active, vigorous, or brisk: a lively discussion.
2. animated, spirited, vivacious, or sprightly: a lively tune; a lively wit.
3. eventful, stirring, or exciting: The opposition gave us a lively time.
4. bustling with activity; astir: The marketplace was lively with vendors.
5. strong, keen, or distinct; vivid: a lively recollection.
6. striking, telling, or effective, as an expression or instance.
7. vivid or bright, as color or light: a lively pink.
9. fresh or invigorating, as air: a lively breeze.
10. rebounding quickly; springing back; resilient: a lively tennis ball.
11. riding the sea buoyantly, as a ship.
–adverb 12. with briskness, vigor, or animation; briskly: to step lively.
[Origin:
bef. 1000; ME; OE
līflīc vital.
See life , -ly ]
—Related forms live·li·ly, adverb
live·li·ness, noun
—Synonyms 1 . alert, spry, nimble, agile, quick, pert. 2 . gay, buoyant. 5 . forceful, clear. 7 . brilliant, clear, glowing.
—Antonyms 1 . inactive, torpid. 2 . dull. 5 . weak. 7 . dim.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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liveliness visit Britannica.com
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American Heritage Dictionary -
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live·ly
Audio Help (līv'lē) Pronunciation Key
adj.
live·li·er , live·li·est
Full of life and energy; vigorous: a lively baby.
Full of spirit; gay and animated: a lively tune.
Marked by animated intelligence: a lively discussion.
Invigorating; refreshing.
Effervescent; sparkling.
Keen; brisk: gave the kitchen floor a lively sweeping.
Rebounding readily upon impact; resilient: a lively tennis ball. See Synonyms at active .
adv.
With energy or vigor; briskly: Step lively!
[Middle English lifli , from Old English līflīc , from līf , life ; see leip- in Indo-European roots.]
live'li·ly adv. , live'li·ness n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
WordNet -
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liveliness noun 1. general activity and motion 2. animation and energy in action or expression; "it was a heavy play and the actors tried in vain to give life to it"
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary -
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Liveliness
An`i*ma"tion\, n. [L. animatio, fr. animare.]
1. The act of animating, or giving life or spirit; the state of being animate or alive.
The animation of the same soul quickening the whole frame. --Bp. Hall.
Perhaps an inanimate thing supplies me, while I am speaking, with whatever I possess of animation. --Landor.
2. The state of being lively, brisk, or full of spirit and vigor; vivacity; spiritedness; as, he recited the story with great animation.
Suspended animation , temporary suspension of the vital functions, as in persons nearly drowned.
Syn: Liveliness; vivacity; spirit; buoyancy; airiness; sprightliness; promptitude; enthusiasm; ardor; earnestness; energy. See
Liveliness .
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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