• Subsistence

    Origin

    From Late Latin subsistentia ("substance, reality, in Medieval Latin also stability"), from Latin subsistens, present participle of subsistere ("to continue, subsist"); see subsist.

    Full definition of subsistence

    Noun

    subsistence

    (plural subsistences)
    1. Real being; existence.
    2. Inherency; as, the subsistence of qualities in bodies.
    3. Means of support; provisions, or that which produces provisions; livelihood; That which furnishes support to animal life; as, a meager subsistence.
      • 1788, s:Author:Alexander Hamilton, s:The Federalist Papers, In the general course of human nature, a power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.
    4. (theology) A person, specifically the person of Christ or of another part of the Trinity; hypostasis.

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