subsist

[ suhb-sist ]

verb (used without object)

1. to exist; continue in existence.
2. to remain alive; live, as on food, resources, etc.
3. to have existence in, or by reason of, something.
4. to reside, lie, or consist (usually followed by in ).
5. Philosophy.
   1. to have timeless or abstract existence, as a number, relation, etc.
   2. to have existence, especially independent existence.

verb (used with object)

1. to provide sustenance or support for; maintain.

subsist

/ səbˈsɪst /

verb

1. often foll by on to be sustained; manage to live

   to subsist on milk

2. to continue in existence
3. foll by in to lie or reside by virtue (of); consist
4. philosophy
   1. to exist as a concept or relation rather than a fact
   2. to be conceivable
5. obsolete.
   tr to provide with support

Derived Forms

• subˈsistent, adjective
• subˈsister, noun

Other Words From

• 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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of subsist¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of subsist¹

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

Example Sentences

“The main thing is just not to starve to death,” one video blogger advised in a post detailing how she subsisted on snack samples and free meals from temples and student canteens.

From Los Angeles Times

That was evident in their 17-15 loss to Arizona on Monday night, when they subsisted on five field goals from Cameron Dicker and consistently came up short in the red zone.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, his family largely subsisted on bread, he said.

From BBC

“But how long can California subsist — or help businesses and families thrive — on an ever-thinner slice of a shrinking production pie?”

From Los Angeles Times

With starting quarterbacks getting almost all the reps during practice each week, backups have to subsist mostly on scout team reps and film study.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• get along
• get by
• scrape by