subsistent

American  

[suhb-sis-tuhnt] / səbˈsɪs tənt /

adjective

1. subsisting, existing, or continuing in existence.

2. inherent.

   subsistent qualities of character.

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noun

1. Philosophy. something that exists necessarily as opposed to contingent existence in space and time.

Usage

What does subsistent mean? Subsistent describes existing or continuing to live.Subsistent is generally used to describe something that continues but doesn’t grow or get better. Something that is subsistent is barely enough, as in We grow all our own food, but we can only grow a subsistent amount.Subsistent also describes something that is inherent or built-in, such as our need to breathe in order to acquire oxygen. You may hear discussions about aspects of life or industries as being subsistent, meaning they are unavoidable. For example, grief is a subsistent part of life.Example: Some cultures were subsistent simply on farming and foraging.

Other Word Forms

• nonsubsistent adjective
• presubsistent adjective
• self-subsistent adjective

Etymology

Origin of subsistent

1520–30; < Latin subsistent- (stem of subsistēns ), present participle of subsistere to remain; subsist, -ent