subsistent
Americanadjective
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subsisting, existing, or continuing in existence.
-
inherent.
subsistent qualities of character.
noun
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
Etymology
Origin of subsistent
1520–30; < Latin subsistent- (stem of subsistēns ), present participle of subsistere to remain; see subsist, -ent
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Wild bird eggs could certainly have been a substitute and impoverished, subsistent shepherds likely would have found those in the forest.
From Salon • Apr. 2, 2023
Wherefore there can be but one subsistent filiation in God: just as there could be but one subsistent whiteness.
From Summa Theologica, Part I (Prima Pars) From the Complete American Edition by Thomas, Aquinas, Saint
Dogm. xvi, xvii: "Man alone we believe to have a subsistent soul: whereas the souls of animals are not subsistent."
From Summa Theologica, Part I (Prima Pars) From the Complete American Edition by Thomas, Aquinas, Saint
Therefore the souls of other animals are subsistent.
From Summa Theologica, Part I (Prima Pars) From the Complete American Edition by Thomas, Aquinas, Saint
Wherefore we conclude that as the souls of brute animals have no per se operations they are not subsistent.
From Summa Theologica, Part I (Prima Pars) From the Complete American Edition by Thomas, Aquinas, Saint
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
