being
     n 1: the state or fact of existing; "a point of view gradually
          coming into being"; "laws in existence for centuries"
          [syn: {beingness}, {existence}] [ant: {nonexistence}, {nonbeing}]
     2: a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act
        or function independently [syn: {organism}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0