Survival

Definition

Survival refers to the state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances. It often implies a fight against the odds to continue existing.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /sərˈvaɪvəl/
• Respelling: sur-VY-vuhl (with "sur" as in "sir," "VY" rhyming with "eye," and "vuhl" as in "hull")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /səˈvaɪvəl/
• Respelling: sur-VY-vuhl (similar to American English, with "sur" as in "sir," "VY" like in "eye," and "vuhl" as in "hull")

In both dialects, "survival" is pronounced with the primary stress on the second syllable, "VY." The pronunciation is consistent across both American and British English, with the word ending in "vuhl," similar to the sound in "hull."

Etymology

The word "survival" is derived from the Latin word "supervivere", where 'super' means over, beyond and 'vivere' means to live. In Middle English, it evolved into "surviven", and later into the modern English term "survive". "Survival" is the noun form of the verb "survive".

Derivatives

• Survivor (noun)
• Survivable (adjective)
• Survivability (noun)
• Surviving (adjective, verb)
• Survivalist (noun)

Synonyms

• Existence
• Endurance
• Perseverance

Antonyms

• Extinction
• Demise
• Expiration

Usage

Survival is a widely used term, often employed in discussions of natural disasters, extreme situations, or adversities. It's commonly utilized in various fields such as biology, sociology, and psychology to describe the continuation of life or existence despite adverse conditions.

Related Terms

• Resilience
• Sustainability
• Preservation
• Life-Sustaining
• Vitality

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Continuation of Life: The state or fact of continuing to live or exist, especially in spite of challenging circumstances or threats.
• Example: The survival rate of patients with this disease has significantly improved due to advancements in medicine.

• Sustained Existence: The process of maintaining life or existence through sustenance, shelter, and addressing basic needs.
• Example: Survival in the wild requires knowledge of how to find food and water.

• Coping with Adversity: The ability or act of coping with adversity, often involving resilience and adaptation.
• Example: His story of survival during the war years is both harrowing and inspiring.