viˈtalize or viˈtalise transitive verb

1. To give life to
2. To stimulate activity in
3. To give vigour to
4. To make lifelike

viˈtalizer or viˈtaliser noun

viˈtalizing or viˈtalising adjective

viˈtally adverb

viˈtascope noun

An early form of motion-picture projector

viˈtative adjective

Concerned with the preservation of life

viˈtativeness noun

Love of life, assigned by the phrenologists to a protuberance under the ear

vital air noun (obsolete)

Oxygen

vital capacity noun

The volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs after taking the deepest possible breath

vital force noun

The force on which the phenomena of life in animals and plants were thought to depend, distinct from chemical and mechanical forces operating in them

vital functions plural noun

The bodily functions that are essential to life, such as the circulation of the blood

vital principle noun

1. The principle (the anima mundi) which according to the doctrine of vitalism, gives life to all nature
2. A principle that directs all the actions and functions of living bodies

vital signs plural noun

(the level or rate of) breathing, heartbeat, etc

vital spark or vital flame noun

1. Life or a trace of life
2. The principle of life in man

vital stain noun (botany, zoology)

A stain that can be used on living cells without killing them

vital statistics plural noun

1. Statistics dealing with the facts of population, ie births, deaths, etc
2. A woman's bust, waist and hip measurements (informal)