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vi·tal 'vīt-əl adj
1 a) existing as a manifestation of life
b) concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life <\vital organs> <blood and other \vital fluids>
2) characteristic of life or living beings <\vital activities>
3) recording data relating to lives <\vital records>
4) of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues
vi·tal·ly -əl-ē adv
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vi·tal (viґtəl) [L. vitalis, from vita life] necessary to or pertaining to life.Medical dictionary. 2011.