subsist

[ suhb-sist ]
See synonyms for: subsistsubsisting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to exist; continue in existence.

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

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

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

  3. Philosophy.

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

    • to have existence, especially independent existence.

verb (used with object)
  1. to provide sustenance or support for; maintain.

Origin of subsist

1
1540–50; <Latin subsistere to remain, equivalent to sub-sub- + sistere to stand, make stand; see stand

Other words from subsist

  • sub·sist·ing·ly, adverb
  • pre·sub·sist, verb (used without object)
  • self-sub·sist·ing, adjective
  • su·per·sub·sist, verb (used without object)

Words that may be confused with subsist

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use subsist in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for subsist

subsist

/ (səbˈsɪst) /


verb(mainly intr)
  1. (often foll by on) to be sustained; manage to live: to subsist on milk

  2. to continue in existence

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

  2. philosophy

    • to exist as a concept or relation rather than a fact

    • to be conceivable

  3. (tr) obsolete to provide with support

Origin of subsist

1
C16: from Latin subsistere to stand firm, from sub- up + sistere to make a stand

Derived forms of subsist

  • subsistent, adjective
  • subsister, noun

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