adv. [f. VITAL a. + -LY2.]
† 1. In a manner that imparts life or vitality; so as to cause or produce life. Obs.
1661. Rust, Origen & Opin., 78. The Body wherewith she [the Soul] is vitally united.
1664. H. More, Apology, 499. What Body more radiant and refulgent then the Sun in his greatest brightness can be vitally organized?
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., II. xxvii. § 4. Though that Life be communicated to new Particles of Matter vitally united to the living Plant.
a. 1791. Wesley, Serm., lxxx. Wks. 1811, IX. 395. You are not now vitally united to any of the members of Christ.
† 2. By means of vital force or power. Obs. rare.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., I. ii. (1677), 50. The Mixt sort of Reason seems to be when a thing concurrs actively and from an internal principle, and (in things that have life) vitally, to the production of a reasonable effect. Ibid. This reasonable work [of ploughing] is performed actively and vitally by my Brute in the virtue of my direction.
† 3. In a living state; alive. Obs.–1
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., v. 174. Nature may bring forth the young infants vitally into the world.
4. In a way or to an extent that is vital or absolutely essential; essentially, indispensably.
1770. Burke, Pres. Discont., Wks. II. 303. The first franchise of an Englishman, and that on which all the rest vitally depend. Ibid. (1795), Scarcity, Wks. VII. 381. Affairs that vitally concern the agriculture of the kingdom.
1852. Miss Yonge, Cameos, II. xxxi. 325. It was vitally necessary to Henry to keep himself respected and feared.
1861. Flor. Nightingale, Nursing, ii. (ed. 2), 11. Due attention would be bestowed on this vitally important matter.
1881. Masson, in Macm. Mag., Dec., 150/1. His Edinburgh life during those five years divides itself, however, very vitally, in the retrospect of it now, into two portions.
b. In an important or high degree; intensely, powerfully. rare.
1787. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 187. The effect of this operation was vitally felt by every farmer in America.
5. With life-like or vivid realization; vividly.
1865. Ruskin, Sesame, ii. § 72. She should be taught to enter with her whole personality into the history she reads; to picture the passages of it vitally in her own bright imagination.
6. So as to affect or destroy life; fatally, mortally.
1891. Cent. Dict., s.v., The animal was vitally hit or hurt.
