Vital
/ˈvaɪ.təl/noun
Essential for life; crucial to the functioning of something.
Did you know?The Latin root 'vita' for 'vital' is also linked to the concept of life force, believed in ancient cultures to be the essence of existence itself.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷei-
“to live; to be alive”
Latin
Latin
vita
“life, existence”
Old French
Old French
vital
“pertaining to life”
14th Century
Middle English
vital
“essential to life; lively or spirited”
Modern English
English
vital
“of or relating to life; necessary for life”