life force

life force (countable and uncountable, plural life forces)

1. (fiction, fantasy, supernatural, paranormal) The hypothetical principle that animates all living organisms.
   • 1920, Edward Carpenter, Pagan and Christian Creeds, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., page 61:

     The human tribe partakes of the mana or life-force of the animal, and is strengthened[.]

   • 1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “In which Challenger Meets a Strange Colleague”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:

     "Yes, I'm beating it!" he cried. "Ever since Felkin held his first consultation with Atkinson I have felt the life-force stealing back into me."

   • 1965, Attila Zohar, Kings Cross Black Magic, Sydney: Horwitz Publications, page 128:

     “All I can tell you is that we witches worship the life force. The powers emanate from our bodies.”

2. An impulse or influence that gives something life or vitality.

• Roecliffe