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Synonyms

vital force

American  

noun

  1. the force that animates and perpetuates living beings and organisms.


vital force British  

noun

  1. (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 & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Vital force, vitality, 13, 15, 34, 37, 52, 80, 85.

From The Story of the Living Machine A Review of the Conclusions of Modern Biology in Regard to the Mechanism Which Controls the Phenomena of Living Activity by Conn, H. W. (Herbert William)

Vital force is only an expression for the unknown remainder over and above what we know of the essence of life.

From War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo, graf

Vital force becomes the symbol of all force.

From Theism or Atheism The Great Alternative by Cohen, Chapman

Vital force seems to find some mysterious reservoir of nourishment hidden away in the nerve-centers.

From Alice of Old Vincennes by Thompson, Maurice

Vital force for M�ller was the ultimate cause and supreme ruler of vital phenomena, so that all the energies of an organism follow a definite plan.

From Makers of Modern Medicine by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)