live
UK[lɪv]US[laɪv]
v
To be alive; to have life.
v
To have your home in a particular place.
v
To spend your life in a particular way.
adj
Having life; alive.
adj
Broadcast or performed at the time of occurrence, not recorded.
adj
Connected to an electrical power source and operating.
Etymology
The word 'live' originates from the Proto-Germanic libēną, meaning "to remain, to stay, to live," which itself is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root leip-, signifying "to remain, to continue." This ancient concept of persistence and continuation evolved directly into the core sense of being alive. In Old English, the verb 'libban' and the adjective 'līf' represented the state of having life and dwelling. Over time, these forms converged into the modern versatile word 'live,' which retains its fundamental connection to existence while expanding metaphorically to describe real-time events and active electrical connections, all extensions of the core idea of being present and active.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Germanic origin. The modern English form 'live' derives from the Old English verb 'libban' or 'lifian' (to be, to live, to remain) and the adjective 'līf' (alive). Its core meaning relates to life and existence.
Examples
Many different species live in the rainforest.
The band will perform live on television tonight.
Be careful, that wire is live.