Main Entry:

sub·sist

Pronunciation:

\səb-ˈsist\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Late Latin subsistere to exist, from Latin, to come to a halt, remain, from sub- + sistere to come to a stand; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

Date:

1549

intransitive verb1 a: to have existence : be b: persist, continue2: to have or acquire the necessities of life (as food and clothing) ; especially : to nourish oneself <subsisting on roots, berries and grubs>3 a: to hold true b: to be logically conceivable as the subject of true statementstransitive verb: to support with provisions