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   Vi·tal

   /ˈvīd(ə)l/

   

   adjective

   • 1. absolutely necessary or important; essential: "secrecy is of vital importance" Similar essentialindispensablecrucialkeynecessaryneededrequiredrequisiteimportantall-importantof the utmost importanceof great consequenceof the essencecriticallife-and-deathimperativemandatoryurgentpressingburningcompellingacuteparamountpreeminenthigh-prioritysignificantconsequentialinformal:earth-shatteringworld-shakingOpposite unimportantperipheralsecondary
   • ▪ indispensable to the continuance of life: "the vital organs" Similar life-preservinglife-sustainingbasicfundamentalessentialnecessarymajormainchiefkeyprimeOpposite minordispensable
   • 2. full of energy; lively: "a beautiful, vital girl" Similar livelyenergeticactivesprightlyspryanimatedspiritedhigh-spiritedvivaciousexuberantbouncyenthusiasticvibrantzestfulsparklingdynamicvigorousfull of vim and vigorforcefulfierylustyhale and heartyin fine fettleinformal:go-gettingzippypeppyfeistyspunkyraring to gofull of beansbright-eyed and bushy-tailedchipperOpposite listless
   • 3. fatal: archaic "the wound is vital"

   noun

   • 1. the body's important internal organs, especially the gut or the genitalia: "he felt the familiar knot contract in his vitals"
   • ▪ short for vital signs

   Word Origin late Middle English (describing the animating principle of living beings, also in vital (sense 2 of the adjective)): via Old French from Latin vitalis, from vita ‘life’. The sense ‘essential’ dates from the early 17th century.

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • V

     4

   • I

     1

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • L

     1

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