life support
n 1: equipment that makes life possible in otherwise deadly
environmental conditions; "the astronauts relied on their
life-support systems" [syn: {life-support system}, {life
support}]
2: medical equipment that assists or replaces important bodily
functions and so enables a patient to live who otherwise
might not survive; "the patient is on life support" [syn:
{life-support system}, {life support}]