subsist

[suh b-sist]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR subsist ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to exist; continue in existence.

to remain alive; live, as on food, resources, etc.

to have existence in, or by reason of, something.

to reside, lie, or consist (usually followed by in).

Philosophy.

to have timeless or abstract existence, as a number, relation, etc.
to have existence, especially independent existence.

verb (used with object)

to provide sustenance or support for; maintain.

Origin of subsist

1540–50; < Latin subsistere to remain, equivalent to sub- sub- + sistere to stand, make stand; see stand

Related formssub·sist·ing·ly, adverbpre·sub·sist, verb (used without object)self-sub·sist·ing, adjectivesu·per·sub·sist, verb (used without object)

Can be confusedsubside subsist

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for subsist

breathe, be, manage, last, continue, move, remain, live, sustain, exist, endure, survive

Examples from the Web for subsist

Contemporary Examples of subsist

Why does our government think it's okay for them to subsist on french fries and soda?
The Government is Still Failing Kids on School Lunches
Russell Saunders
May 25, 2014
She announced her intention to subsist on a diet of water and fish broth, an estimated 200-400 calories per day.
The Hunger Strike Diet: You Don't Lose Weight AND You Accomplish Your Goal!
David Frum
January 24, 2013
He begins his days at 4:30 a.m., hits the gym by 5, appears to subsist on energy bars, and is said to be “calm, quite—and deadly.”
Steve Jobs Resigns
August 25, 2011

Historical Examples of subsist

You ask me why, tho' ill at ease Within this region I subsist?
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 12, June 18, 1870
Various
Her friendly relations with him continued to subsist even after his marriage.
A Zola Dictionary
J. G. Patterson
How,” Parson Lute demanded, with a start, “does she––ah––subsist?
The Cruise of the Shining Light
Norman Duncan
Those of us who are alive in the morning will subsist upon the enemy.
Standish of Standish
Jane G. Austin
It is said that a person can subsist longer upon them than upon any other kind.
Old Mackinaw
W. P. Strickland.

British Dictionary definitions for subsist

subsist

verb (mainly intr)

(often foll by on) to be sustained; manage to liveto subsist on milk

to continue in existence

(foll by in) to lie or reside by virtue (of); consist

philosophy

to exist as a concept or relation rather than a fact
to be conceivable

(tr) obsolete to provide with support

Derived Formssubsistent, adjectivesubsister, noun

Word Origin for subsist

C16: from Latin subsistere to stand firm, from sub- up + sistere to make a stand

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for subsist

1540s, "to exist," from Latin subsistere "to stand still or firm," (see subsistence). Meaning "to support oneself" (in a certain way) is from 1640s. Related: Subsisted; subsisting.