Definition of life-boat:
(n) :
(uncountable) The state of organisms preceding their death, characterized by biological processes such as metabolism and reproduction and distinguishing them from inanimate objects; the state of being alive and living.
(n) :
(biology) The status possessed by any of a number of entities, including animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, and sometimes viruses, which have the properties of replication and metabolism.
(n) :
The animating principle or force that keeps an inorganic thing or concept metaphorically alive (dynamic, relevant, etc) and makes it a "living document", "living constitution", etc.
(n) :
Lifeforms, generally or collectively.
(n) :
(countable) A living being; the fact of a particular individual being alive. (Chiefly when indicating individuals were lost (died) or saved.)
(n) :
Existence.