Lively, a. [Compar. Livelier; superl. Liveliest.]
Etymology: [For lifely. Cf. Lifelike.]
1. Endowed with or manifesting life; living. Chaplets of gold and silver resembling lively flowers and leaves. Holland.
2. Brisk; vivacious; active; as, a lively youth. But wherefore comes old Manoa in such haste, With youthful steps Much livelier than erewhile He seems. Milton.
3. Gay; airy; animated; spirited. From grave to gay, from lively to severe. Pope.
4. Representing life; lifelike. [Obs.] I spied the lively picture of my father. Massinger.
2 more senses
5. Bright; vivid; glowing; strong; vigorous. The colors of the prism are manifestly more full, intense, and lively that those of natural bodies. Sir I. Newton. His faith must be not only living, but lively too. South. Lively stones (Script.), saints, as being quickened by the Spirit, and active in holiness.
Syn. -- Brisk; vigorous; quick; nimble; smart; active; alert; sprightly; animated; spirited; prompt; earnest; strong; energetic; vivid; vivacious; blithe; gleeful; airy; gay; jocund.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Lively, adv.
1. In a brisk, active, or animated manner; briskly; vigorously. Hayward.
2. With strong resemblance of life. [Obs.] Thou counterfeitest most lively. Shak.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for lively; he lists it under active, airy, alert, alive, nimble, racy.
Where he writes about it:
That which is lively or animated may be agreeable or the reverse; as, an animated discussion; a lively company. — from airy
Alert, which is strictly a synonym for ready, comes sometimes near the meaning of nimble or quick, from the fact that the ready, wide-awake person is likely to be lively, quick, speedy. — from nimble