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adjective

Lively adj. (compar. livelier; superl. liveliest)

1.

Endowed with or manifesting life; living. "Chaplets of gold and silver resembling lively flowers and leaves."

2.

Brisk; vivacious; active; as, a lively youth. "But wherefore comes old Manoa in such haste, With youthful steps? Much livelier than erewhile He seems."

3.

Gay; airy; animated; spirited. "From grave to gay, from lively to severe."

4.

Representing life; lifelike. (Obs.) "I spied the lively picture of my father."

5.

Bright; vivid; glowing; strong; vigorous. "The colors of the prism are manifestly more full, intense, and lively that those of natural bodies." "His faith must be not only living, but lively too."

Lively stones (Script.), saints, as being quickened by the Spirit, and active in holiness.

Synonyms: Brisk; vigorous; quick; nimble; smart; active; alert; sprightly; animated; spirited; prompt; earnest; strong; energetic; vivid; vivacious; blithe; gleeful; airy; gay; jocund.

adverb

Lively adv.

1.

In a brisk, active, or animated manner; briskly; vigorously.

2.

With strong resemblance of life. (Obs.) "Thou counterfeitest most lively."

See images of 'Lively'

Etymology of 'Lively'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Lively" Quotes from Famous Books

... for all. Dey wuz a little dram and cake too. Us chillun got dolls, and dresses, and aprons. Them stuffed rag dolls wuz de prettiest things! On New Year's day all de mens would come up to de Big 'Ouse early in de morning and would work lively as dey could a-cuttin' wood and doing all sorts of little jobs 'til de dinner bell rung. Den Marse Billie would come out and tell 'em dey wuz startin' de New Year right a-workin' lively and fast. Den he would say dat dey would be fed good and looked ...

— Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume IV, Georgia Narratives, Part 1 • Works Projects Administration

... this, among a people of generous and lively feeling like the Irish, is in every state of life the object of intense and undisguised abhorrence. It was with difficulty he could succeed in engaging servants, either for domestic or agricultural purposes, and, perhaps, no consideration, ...

— Fardorougha, The Miser - The Works of William Carleton, Volume One • William Carleton

... met her with grateful sympathy and devotion; her bright and lively nature had delighted him, and at each thoughtless word she uttered he would have liked to give her some warning sign, as though she were near to him through some tie of blood, or some old established friendship that might warrant his right to do so. The ...

— Uarda • Georg Ebers

... lost among the cushions of an arm-chair, during the evenings when John's friends came. But by and by the house-friends one by one ceased to drop in as they passed down the hall; other friends ceased to ring the bell: the old lively evenings were impossible with one so frail and ...

— Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 15, - No. 87, March, 1875 • Various

... transformation effected within a few months of Mr. Thorndyke's return caused general and lively satisfaction, and a year later he was put on the Commission of the Peace, and became one of the most regular attendants at the Bench of Magistrates. Reluctantly as he had taken up his present position, he found it, as time went on, a pleasant one. He had not been ...

— Colonel Thorndyke's Secret • G. A. Henty

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