title: Vocabulary of definitions of life suggests a definition.
abstract: Analysis of the vocabulary of 123 tabulated definitions of life reveals nine groups of defining terms (definientia) of which the groups (self-)reproduction and evolution (variation) appear as the minimal set for a concise and inclusive definition: Life is self-reproduction with variations.
authors.affiliation: Genome Diversity Center, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel. trifonov@research.haifa.ac.il
authors.forename: Edward N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Trifonov
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D019369:Life; D012098:Reproduction; D014825:Vocabulary