operant vs vital

operant

adj
  • That operates to produce an effect. 

noun
  • Any of a class of behaviors that produce consequences by operating (i.e., acting) upon the environment. 

  • An operative person or thing. 

vital

adj
  • Necessary to continued existence. 

  • Invigorating or life-giving. 

  • Very important. 

  • Containing life; living. 

  • Necessary to the continuation of life; being the seat of life; being that on which life depends. 

  • Capable of living; in a state to live; viable. 

  • Relating to the recording of life events. 

  • Relating to, or characteristic of life. 

How often have the words operant and vital occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )