Vitality

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /vaɪˈtælɪti/

Definitions

1. The quality of being full of energy, vigor, and liveliness; the state of being strong and active in body or mind
2. The capacity to sustain physical and mental energy, vigor, and dynamic engagement with life
3. The state of possessing abundant strength, liveliness, and animate force necessary for active existence
4. The capacity to sustain life force, physical vigor, and dynamic energy that enables active engagement with existence
5. A fundamental quality of animate beings characterized by strength, resilience, and the ability to maintain vigorous activity and mental sharpness

Etymology: Latin "vitalitas" meant "vital force" or simply "life," built from "vitalis," which is itself derived from "vita," the Latin word for life. The English word "vital" arrived first, and "vitality" is that adjective with the suffix "-ity" attached, a common pattern for turning qualities into nouns. Through Middle French "vitalité," the Latin idea of life-force passed into English. The notable twist is that the core sense has stayed close to its origin. Where many Latin-derived English words drifted far from their roots, "vitality" still points straight at living energy: the quality that makes a living thing alive and active. Its meaning has widened from literal life to the more figurative sense of energy and strength in a person, a community, or even an idea.

Synonyms: energy, vigor, life, liveliness, spirit

Antonyms: lifelessness, inactivity, weakness, apathy, lethargy