Subsistence Meaning
/səbˈsɪstəns/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounReal being; existence.
nounThe act of maintaining oneself at a minimum level.
Sentence Examples
The subsistence farmer grew so little that there was no room for leftovers.
Subsistence farming is the dominant form of livelihood.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The family's ____ depended on the small crop they grew each year.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The village family relied on ____ farming, growing only enough food to feed themselves for the winter.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English subsistence; partly from Middle French subsistence (modern French subsistance) and partly from its etymon Late Latin subsistentia (“substance, reality, in Medieval Latin also stability”), from Latin subsistēns, present participle of subsistere (“to continue, subsist”). Perhaps also partly from subsist + -ence.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"the human nature loseth its proper subsistence , and is assumed into the subsistence of the divine nature"
— 1686, Edward Stillingfleet, the Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome:
"In the general course of human nature, a power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will."
— 1788, Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist, Dawson, Federalist 79, page 548:
"His viceroy could only propose to himself a comfortable subsistence out of the plunder of his province."
— 1716 February 2 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 10. Sunday, January 23. [1716.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1721, →OCLC:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The family's ____ depended on the small crop they grew each year.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The village family relied on ____ farming, growing only enough food to feed themselves for the winter.