élan vital

[ French ey-lahn vee-tal ]
/ French eɪ lɑ̃ viˈtal /

noun

(especially in Bergsonian philosophy) the creative force within an organism that is responsible for growth, change, and necessary or desirable adaptations.

Origin of élan vital

1905–10; < French: literally, vital ardor

Words nearby élan vital

écu, écurie, édhessa, égalité, élan, élan vital, élancé, élisabethville, éluard, émigré, émile

Words related to elan vital

psyche, soul, vitality

Example sentences from the Web for elan vital

  • What is this elan-vital, that a little fall in temperature would banish altogether from the universe?

    Winds Of Doctrine |George Santayana

British Dictionary definitions for elan vital

élan vital
/ French (elɑ̃ vital) /

noun

a creative principle held by Henri Bergson to be present in all organisms and responsible for evolution Compare Bergsonism

Word Origin for élan vital

literally: vital impetus