|
|
Definition of Life-or-death
1. Adjective. Vitally important. "A life-and-death struggle"
Definition of Life-or-death
1. Adjective. Of critical importance to the survival of a living organism. ¹
2. Adjective. Having death as a possible or even likely outcome; perilous. ¹
3. Adjective. (idiomatic) Of critical importance to the success of a particular endeavor. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Lexicographical Neighbors of Life-or-death
Literary usage of Life-or-death
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1887)
"... and the issue being not only one of life or death to this plaintiff in error,
but of far-reaching power, unceasing interest and illimitable value, ..."
2. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon (1816)
"At that disastrous moment, the life or death of his beloved Cantacuzene was
concealed by his flight into Servia : bat the grateful Irene, impatient to ..."
3. The Chief American Poets: Selected Poems by Bryant, Poe, Emerson, Longfellow by Curtis Hidden Page (1905)
"... eyes pursued His portly presence mad for food, With dark hints muttered under
breath Of casting lots for life or death, To be himself the sacrifice. ..."
4. Bradford's History "of Plimoth Plantation.": From the Original Manuscript by William Bradford, Massachusetts General Court, Massachusetts Office of the Secretary of State (1899)
"... whether in life or death. But see how ye man thus apprehended by Mr. Black-
wells means, ... life or death ..."
Other Resources:
