life-and-death
[ lahyf-uh n-deth ]
/ ˈlaɪf ənˈdɛθ /
adjective
ending with the death or possible death of one of the participants; crucially important: The cobra was engaged in a life-and-death struggle with the mongoose.
Also
life-or-death.
Origin of life-and-death
First recorded in 1680–90
Words nearby life-and-death
life span,
life stress,
life table,
life vest,
life zone,
life-and-death,
life-care,
life-giving,
life-or-death,
life-saver,
life-saving