Alive, a.
Etymology: [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.
4 more senses
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.
Note: Used colloquially as an intensive; as, man alive!
Note: Alive always follows the noun which it qualifies.
Shades of meaning
Alive applies to all degrees of life, from that which shows one to be barely existing or existent as a living thing, as when we say he is just alive, to that which implies the very utmost of vitality and power, as in the words "he is all alive," "thoroughly alive." So the word quick, which began by signifying "having life," is now mostly applied to energy of life as shown in swiftness of action. Breathing is capable of like contrast. We say of a dying man, he is still breathing; or we speak of a breathing statue, or "breathing and sounding, beauteous battle," TENNYSON Princess can. v, l. 155, where it means having, or seeming to have, full and vigorous breath, abundant life. Compare active; alert; nimble.
Prepositions
Alive in every nerve; alive to every noble impulse; alive with fervor, hope, resolve; alive through all his being.