from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Live \Live\ (l[imac]v), a. [Abbreviated from alive. See {Alive},
{Life}.]
1. Having life; alive; living; not dead.
[1913 Webster]
If one man's ox hurt another's, that he die; then
they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of
it. --Ex. xxi. 35.
[1913 Webster]
2. Being in a state of ignition; burning; having active
properties; as, a live coal; live embers. " The live
ether." --Thomson.
[1913 Webster]
3. Full of earnestness; active; wide awake; glowing; as, a
live man, or orator.
[1913 Webster]
4. Vivid; bright. " The live carnation." --Thomson.
[1913 Webster]
5. (Engin.) Imparting power; having motion; as, the live
spindle of a lathe; live steam.
[1913 Webster]
6. (Elec.) Connected to a voltage source; as, a live wire.
[PJC]
7. (Broadcasting) Being transmitted instantaneously, as
events occur, in contrast to {recorded}.
[PJC]
8. (Sport) Still in active play; -- of a ball being used in a
game; as, a live ball.
[PJC]
9. Pertaining to an entertainment event which was performed
(and possibly recorded) in front of an audience;
contrasted to performances recorded in a studio without an
audience.
[PJC]
{Live birth}, the condition of being born in such a state
that acts of life are manifested after the extrusion of
the whole body. --Dunglison.
{Live box}, a cell for holding living objects under
microscopical examination. --P. H. Gosse.
{Live feathers}, feathers which have been plucked from the
living bird, and are therefore stronger and more elastic.
{Live gang}. (Sawing) See under {Gang}.
{Live grass} (Bot.), a grass of the genus {Eragrostis}.
{Live load} (Engin.), a suddenly applied load; a varying
load; a moving load; as a moving train of cars on a
bridge, or wind pressure on a roof.
{Live oak} (Bot.), a species of oak ({Quercus virens}),
growing in the Southern States, of great durability, and
highly esteemed for ship timber. In California the
{Quercus chrysolepis} and some other species are also
called live oaks.
{Live ring} (Engin.), a circular train of rollers upon which
a swing bridge, or turntable, rests, and which travels
around a circular track when the bridge or table turns.
{Live steam}, steam direct from the boiler, used for any
purpose, in distinction from {exhaust steam}.
{Live stock}, horses, cattle, and other domestic animals kept
on a farm. whole body.
{live wire}
(a) (Elec.) a wire connected to a power source, having a
voltage potential; -- used esp. of a power line with a
high potential relative to ground, capable of harming
a person who touches it.
(b) (Fig.) a person who is unusually active, alert, or
aggressive.
[1913 Webster +PJC]