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 verb 1 a : to have existence : be b : persist, continue
2 : 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