A*live" (#), a. [OE. on live, AS. on life in life; life being dat. of lif life. See Life, and cf. Live, a.]
1.
Having life, in opposition to dead; living; being in a state in which the organs perform their functions; as, an animal or a plant which is alive.
2.
In a state of action; in force or operation; unextinguished; unexpired; existent; as, to keep the fire alive; to keep the affections alive.
3.
Exhibiting the activity and motion of many living beings; swarming; thronged.
The Boyne, for a quarter of a mile, was alive with muskets and green boughs.
Macaulay.
4.
Sprightly; lively; brisk.
Richardson.
5.
Having susceptibility; easily impressed; having lively feelings, as opposed to apathy; sensitive.
Tremblingly alive to nature's laws.
Falconer.
6.
Of all living (by way of emphasis).
Northumberland was the proudest man alive.
Clarendon.
Used colloquially as an intensive; as, man alive!
⇒ Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.
© Webster 1913.