Of a coal: live, burning. Now archaic and rare.

Of something combustible: flaming, glowing, burning. Frequently in live coal.

Of a thing: = living, adj. 4. Cf. also live, adj.1 2 3. Obsolete.

In extended use, of a thing: that appears to be alive; that acts or moves as if alive; animated (cf. lively, adj. 1b); spec. (a) (of water)…