The state of organisms preceding their death, characterized by biological processes such as metabolism and reproduction and distinguishing them from inanimate objects; the state of being alive and living. • The status possessed by any of a number of entities, including animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and sometimes viruses, which have the properties of replication and metabolism. • The animating principle or force that keeps an inorganic thing or concept metaphorically alive (dynamic, relevant, etc) and makes it a “living document”, “living constitution”, etc. • Lifeforms, generally or collectively. • A living being; the fact of a particular individual being alive. (Chiefly when indicating individuals were lost (died) or saved.) • Existence. • A worthwhile existence. • A particular aspect of existence. • Social life. • Something which is inherently part of a person's existence, such as job, family, a loved one, etc. • A period of time during which something has existence. • The period during which one (a person, an animal, a plant; a civilization, species; a star; etc) is alive. • The span of time during which an object operates. • The period of time during which an object is recognizable. • A particular phase or period of existence. • A period extending from a when a (positive or negative) office, punishment, etc is conferred on someone until that person dies (or, sometimes, reaches retirement age). • A life sentence; a period of imprisonment that lasts until the convict's death (or, sometimes, parole). • Animation; spirit; vivacity. • The most lively component or participant. • A biography. • Nature, reality, and the forms that exist in it. • An opportunity for existence. • One of the player's chances to play, lost when the player's character dies or when certain mistakes are made. • A chance for the batter (or batting team) to bat again, given as a result of a misplay by a member of the fielding team. • One of a player's chances to play in various children's playground games, lost when a mistake is made, for example being struck by the ball in dodgeball. • The life insurance industry. • A life assured under a life assurance policy (equivalent to the policy itself for a single life contract).