subsistence

subsistence
subsistence (n.) early 15c., "existence, independence," from L.L. subsistentia "substance, reality," from L. subsistens, prp. of subsistere "stand still or firm," from sub "under, up to" (see SUB- (Cf. sub-)) + sistere "to assume a standing position," from stare "to stand" (see ASSIST (Cf. assist)). Properly a loan-translation of Gk. hypostasis "subsistence," lit. "anything placed under." Meaning "provision of support for animal life" is from 1640s.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • subsistence — sub‧sis‧tence [səbˈsɪstns] noun 1. [uncountable] a small amount of money or food that is just enough to survive on: • Refugees are dependent for subsistence on support from aid agencies. • Unfortunately, these people have become used to living… …   Financial and business terms

  • Subsistence — Sub*sist ence, n. [Cf. F. subsistance, L. subsistentia.] 1. Real being; existence. [1913 Webster] Not only the things had subsistence, but the very images were of some creatures existing. Stillingfleet. [1913 Webster] 2. Inherency; as, the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • subsistence — ► NOUN 1) the action or fact of subsisting. 2) the means of doing this. 3) (before another noun ) referring to production at a level sufficient only for one s own use, without any surplus for trade: subsistence agriculture …   English terms dictionary

  • subsistence — index aid (help), livelihood, maintenance (support of spouse), subsidy, support (assistance), sustenance …   Law dictionary

  • subsistence — *living, livelihood, sustenance, maintenance, support, keep, bread, bread and butter …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • subsistence — [n] provisions for survival affluence, aliment, alimentation, bread*, bread and butter*, capital, circumstances, competence, earnings, existence, food, fortune, gratuity, income, independence, keep, legacy, livelihood, living, maintenance, means …   New thesaurus

  • subsistence — [səbsis′təns] n. [ME < LL(Ec) subsistentia < L subsister: see SUBSIST] 1. existence; being; continuance 2. the act of providing sustenance 3. means of support or livelihood; often, specif., the barest means in terms of food, clothing, and… …   English World dictionary

  • subsistence — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ bare, basic SUBSISTENCE + NOUN ▪ agriculture, farming ▪ farmer ▪ economy …   Collocations dictionary

  • subsistence — [[t]səbsɪ̱stəns[/t]] 1) N UNCOUNT: oft N n Subsistence is the condition of just having enough food or money to stay alive. ...below the subsistence level... The standard of living today is on the edge of subsistence. 2) ADJ: ADJ n In subsistence… …   English dictionary

  • subsistence — n. 1) (a) bare, hand to mouth subsistence 2) a means of subsistence * * * [səb sɪst(ə)ns] hand to mouth subsistence (a) bare a means of subsistence …   Combinatory dictionary

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