Main Entry:

ex·ist

Pronunciation:

\ig-ˈzist\

Function:

intransitive verb

Etymology:

Latin exsistere to come into being, exist, from ex- + sistere to stand, stop; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

Date:

circa 1568

1 a: to have real being whether material or spiritual <did unicorns exist> <the largest galaxy known to exist> b: to have being in a specified place or with respect to understood limitations or conditions <strange ideas existed in his mind>2: to continue to be <racism still exists in society>3 a: to have life or the functions of vitality <we cannot exist without oxygen> b: to live at an inferior level or under adverse circumstances <the hungry existing from day to day>