élan vital

[ French ey-lahn vee-tal ]

noun

1. (especially in Bergsonian philosophy) the creative force within an organism that is responsible for growth, change, and necessary or desirable adaptations.

élan vital

/ elɑ̃ vital /

noun

1. a creative principle held by Henri Bergson to be present in all organisms and responsible for evolution Compare Bergsonism

Word History and Origins

Origin of élan vital¹

1905–10; < French: literally, vital ardor

Word History and Origins

Origin of élan vital¹

literally: vital impetus

Example Sentences

Now that we know about DNA, we no longer need an elan vital.

From The Daily Beast

What is this elan-vital, that a little fall in temperature would banish altogether from the universe?

From Project Gutenberg

Compare also Bergsons elan vital, in Lvolution Cratrice, p. 100 et seq.

From Project Gutenberg