Life
Biological and biographical โ defined by us and by others.
How We Say It
lฤซf
Where It Comes From
Old English lif โ existence, way of living. Proto-Germanic root. Among the oldest words in the language. Biologically, legally, and philosophically contested at both ends โ when it begins and when it ends.
How It's Been Used
'Pro-life' as a political label emerged in the 1970s, appropriating the word's broadest possible meaning for a specific legislative agenda. The claim that opposing abortion is 'pro-life' while other life-related policies are not was noted early and has been contested ever since.