vital force

vital force

n

(Biology) (esp in early biological theory) a hypothetical force, independent of physical and chemical forces, regarded as being the causative factor of the evolution and development of living organisms

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

vi′tal force′

n.

1. Also called vi′tal prin′ciple. the force that animates and perpetuates living beings and organisms.

2. élan vital.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

vital force - (biology) a hypothetical force (not physical or chemical) once thought by Henri Bergson to cause the evolution and development of organisms elan vital, life force, vitality biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms force - (physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity; "force equals mass times acceleration"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

vital force

noun

The vital principle or animating force within living beings:

breath, divine spark, élan vital, life force, psyche, soul, spirit, vitality.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

vital force

n → Lebenskraft f

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