Emily Dickinson Lexicon

vital (-lest), adj. [OFr < L. vītālis < vīta, life.] (webplay: bodies, fitted, human, life, live, soul, spirits, state, workmanship).

1. Necessary; essential; crucial; life-supporting; [metonymy] bloody.
2. Life-restoring; able to renew life; [fig.] able to resurrect from the dead.
3. Meaningful; significant.
4. Active; lively; moving; impressive; intense; stimulating; arousing emotion in.
5. Eternal; immortal; everlasting.
6. Real; actual; concrete; material; verifiable.
7. Living; alive; dynamic; electric; charged; [fig.] true; intelligent; mentally illuminating; spiritually energizing.