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subsistence

 - 3 dictionary results

sub⋅sist⋅ence

  [suhb-sis-tuhns]
Use subsistence in a Sentence
–noun
1. the state or fact of subsisting.
2. the state or fact of existing.
3. the providing of sustenance or support.
4. means of supporting life; a living or livelihood.
5. the source from which food and other items necessary to exist are obtained.
6. Philosophy.
a. existence, especially of an independent entity.
b. the quality of having timeless or abstract existence.
c. mode of existence or that by which a substance is individualized.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < LL subsistentia; see subsist, -ence

Synonyms:
3. survival, maintenance, nourishment.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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sub·sis·tence   (səb-sĭs'təns)   
n.  

  1. The act or state of subsisting.

  2. A means of subsisting, especially means barely sufficient to maintain life.

  3. Something that has real or substantial existence.

  4. Christianity Hypostasis.

sub·sis'tent adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

subsistence 
1432, "existence, independence," from L.L. subsistentia "substance, reality," from L. subsistens, prp. of subsistere "stand still or firm," from sub "under, up to" + sistere "to assume a standing position," from stare "to stand" (see assist). Properly a loan-translation of Gk. hypostasis "subsistence," lit. "anything placed under." Meaning "provision of support for animal life" is from 1645. Subsist (v.) is attested from 1549.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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