Definitions
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective rare Giving life; reviving; enlivening.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective Giving
life ;reviving ;enlivening .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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But it is the peculiarity of the Nile, unlike other rivers, which, in overflowing lands, wash away and exhaust their vivific moisture, that its waters serve to fatten and enrich the soil.
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Page 423 fumes or exhalations, from this bed of clay, may have a vivific nutritive quality, and be received by the fibres of the roots, or being condensed in the atmosphere by nocturnal chills, fall with dews upon the leaves and twigs of these plants, and there absorbed, become nutritive or exhilerating to them.
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Are not the seed of vegetables, and the eggs of oviparous animals fecundated, or influenced with the vivific principle of life, through the aproximation and intimacy of the sexes, and immediately after the eggs and seeds are hatched, the young larva and infant plant, by heat and moisture, rises into existence, increases, and in due time arrives to a state of perfect maturity.
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For whereas other rivers, when they overflow lands, wash away and exhaust their vivific moisture; the Nile, on the contrary, by the excellent slime it brings along with it, fattens and enriches them in such
The Ancient History of the Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Macedonians and Grecians (Vol. 1 of 6) Charles Rollin 1701
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I only add, that it is peculiar to the Platonic philofophy to fufpend phyfics from theology, and this in imitation of Orpheus, who fufpends Nature herfelf from the vivific goddefs Rhea, who is the caufe of all life, both that which is intelledtual, and that which is tnfeparable from the fluduating nature of bodies.
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IN the evening this surprising heavy tempest passed off, we had a serene sky and a pleasant cool night; having had time enough to collect a great quantity of wood and Pine knots to feed our fires and keep up a light in our camp, which was a lucky precaution, as we found it absolutely necessary to dry our clothes and warm ourselves, for all our skins and bedding were cast over the packs of merchandize to prevent them and our provision from being injured by the deluge of rain; next day was cool and pleasant, the air having recovered its elasticity and vivific spirit; I found myself cheerful and invigorated; indeed all around us appeared reanimated, and nature presents her cheerful countenance; the vegetables smile in their blooming decorations and sparkling crystaline dew-drop.
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Now I am come within the atmosphere of the Illisium groves, how reanimating is the fragrance! every part of this plant above ground possesses an aromatic scent, but the large stillated pericarpes is the most fragrant part of it, which continually perspires an oleagenous sweat, as warm and vivific as Cloves or Mace, I never saw it grow naturally further North than Lat. 33°, on the Mobile river and its branches, and but one place in East Florida near Lake George, Lat.
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Hence, fuch terreftnal orders as are vivific and demiurgic he defines; and fuch powers as comprehend the rcafons of earth,, and are the infpeAive guardians of generation, he excites and multiples, and caUs forth into motion. "
reesetee commented on the word vivific
Giving life; reviving; enlivening.
June 5, 2007