elan vital

Definitions of elan vital
  1. noun
    (biology) a hypothetical force (not physical or chemical) once thought by Henri Bergson to cause the evolution and development of organisms
    synonyms: life force, vital force, vitality
    see moresee less
    type of:
    force
    (physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘elan vital'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family