subsist

CEFRB2

/səbˈsɪst/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To continue to live or exist, especially with little money.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To have ontological reality; to exist.

Examples

  • Giraffes subsist mainly on acacia leaves.

  • Firm we ſubſiſt, yet poſſible to ſwerve / Since Reaſon not impoſſibly may meet / Some ſpecious object by the Foe ſubornd, / And fall into deception unaware, / Not keeping ſtricteſt watch, as ſhe was warnd.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To retain a certain state; to continue.

  2. To survive on a minimum of resources.

  3. To supply sustenance or subsistence to or for.

More examples

In context

  • Subject to section 5(1), copyright subsists only by virtue of this Act.

  • With mutual toil, and intuitive dexterity, we built our commodious habitation in the hollow of a mango tree, that the fruit, which was then in bloſſom, might ſubſiſt our young.

  • Remember Man! "the Univerſal Cauſe / Acts not by partial, but by gen’ral Laws ; / And makes what Happineſs we juſtly call / Subſiſt not in the Good of one, but all.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

During the drought, the villagers had to blank on just one meal per day.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Latin subsistō (“halt, stop”), from sub (“below”) + sistō (“stand, place”). Compare consist, desist, exist, insist, persist.