The term 'LACKING LIFE' can be summarized by two crossword solutions: ABIOTIC (7 letters) and VAPID (5 letters). ABIOTIC refers to something that is not alive, such as a rock or a mineral. It is derived from the Greek word 'abios, ' which means 'not alive.' VAPID, on the other hand, means dull, uninteresting, and lacking in vitality. It comes from the Latin word 'vapidus, ' which means 'flat, tasteless, or insipid.' Together, these two words describe something that is not alive and lacks any kind of energy or enthusiasm.