lifeblood
/ˈlʌɪfblʌd
/noun [mass noun] literary
1The blood, as being necessary to life.Somehow, the sight of all her blood, all her lifeblood on that shirt disturbed her, as did the ragged hole below the ribs....
- This river is unlike the fire before, more focused, cool and steadily pulsing and mixing with her lifeblood and mending her core.
- His split lip closes as a spell removes the spilt lifeblood.
1.1The indispensable factor or influence that gives something its strength and vitality: the movement of coal was the lifeblood of British railways...
- He is the essence, the lifeblood, the very marrow of the team.
- The power of a nation lies in its freedoms, its ideas, and its lifeblood including new immigrants which add fresh lifeblood.
- What gives the series lifeblood is excellent writing, inspired acting and good characters.
Synonyms
life force, life, essential part/component/constituent, animating spirit, moving force, driving force, dynamic force, vital spark, vital fluid, inspiration, stimulus, centre, animus, essence, crux, heart, soul, core, kernel, marrow, pith;
French élan vital
informal guts
Philosophy quiddity