Definition of the word liven

The word "liven" originated in Middle English around the 14th century. It comes from the Old English word "lifian", which meant "to live". The word "lifian" was derived from the Old English word "lif", which meant "life". In Middle English, "liven" was commonly used as an intransitive verb, meaning "to continue living; to live on". For example, "If thou beleue this antheme, al moot be stille, els breke we paten liven" (Chaucer's The Reeve's Prologue). Over time, the meaning of "liven" evolved, and by the 17th century, it was also used as a transitive verb, meaning "to make lively; to make exciting". This usage can be seen in William Shakespeare's play As You Like It, in which Oliver says, "I resolve to liven you all, come wind, come weather" (Act II, Scene I). In modern English, "liven" is primarily used as an intransitive verb, meaning "to make oneself lively; to become lively". It can also be used as a transitive verb, meaning "to make or become livelier". For example, "Let's liven up this party!" or "She livened up the evening with her stories". Overall, the word "liven" has undergone several evolutions in its meaning over time, but at its core, it still relates to the idea of "life" and "vitality".