n. 1. The state of one who, or that which, lives; lives; life; existence. “Health and living.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Manner of life; as, riotous living; penurious living; earnest living. “ A vicious living.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Means of subsistence; sustenance; estate; as, to make a comfortable living from writing. [ 1913 Webster ]

She can spin for her living. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

He divided unto them his living. Luke xv. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Power of continuing life; the act of living, or living comfortably. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is no living without trusting somebody or other in some cases. L' Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The benefice of a clergyman; an ecclesiastical charge which a minister receives. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He could not get a deanery, a prebend, or even a living Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Live, v. i. ] 1. Being alive; having life; as, a living creature. Opposed to dead. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Active; lively; vigorous; -- said esp. of states of the mind, and sometimes of abstract things; as, a living faith; a living principle. “ Living hope. ” Wyclif. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Issuing continually from the earth; running; flowing; as, a living spring; -- opposed to stagnant. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Producing life, action, animation, or vigor; quickening. “Living light.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Ignited; glowing with heat; burning; live. [ 1913 Webster ]

Then on the living coals wine they pour. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Living force. See Vis viva, under Vis. --
Living gale (Naut.), a heavy gale. --
Living rock or
Living stone, rock in its native or original state or location; rock not quarried. “ I now found myself on a rude and narrow stairway, the steps of which were cut out of the living rock.” Moore. --
The living, those who are alive, or one who is alive. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a living state. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being alive; possession of energy or vigor; animation; quickening. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A tableau in which persons take part; also, specif., such a tableau as imitating a work of art. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. A room in a house used by all or most of the family, where the family entertain guests or relax together for leisure activities. It usually contains at least one couch, and does not contain a dining table. [ PJC ]

. A wage or salary that permits a worker to live at least with minimal customary amenities, and above conditions of poverty. [ PJC ]

. A document signed by an individual expressing his/her desire that, in the event of an illness from which there is no reasonable expectation of recovery, aggressive or extraordinary measures to prolong life, such as resuscitation and life-support equipment, should not be used. [ PJC ]