What is a "live kicker"?

[tonejac]

Can someone help clarify what a "live kicker" is?

Here's the context of where I read it:

"...smaller pair on board with a live kicker..." -- what does that mean exactly?

For that matter, what does "live" anything in poker terminology mean?

Thanks,
Tony J.

[Humphrind]

Live is playable. You have AQ. I have AJ, The board is AK752

We both have AA with K kicker. But your Q is the "live" kicker that wins the hand for you.

*Damn, I was beat in my own example. I have to get better at this game*

[koolmoe]

In some contexts it means that you have outs to pair it.

A5 with a board of A66 for example, the outs to the 5 are dead. A kicker higher than 6 would still be live.

Kickers can also be dead because you are dominated (AT vs. JT with a AJx board)

[RiverMonkey]

I think it means that if you pair your kicker, it doesn't help someone get a better hand than your two-pair.

e.g. You have A7s, with a Axx flop (where x is not 7) and a 7 hits the board but it doesn't give anyone else trips, a straight or a non-heart flush. Then, one would say your kicker is live.

A counter example: You have AJs, and the board is AKT, but your opponent has a Q .... Now J hits the board pairing your kicker but it just gave your opponent a broadway str8. Now (assuming no flush or str8 potential for you) your only escape hatch is another J or A for a boat.