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sub·sist

(səb-sĭst)

v. sub·sist·ed, sub·sist·ing, sub·sists

v.intr.

a. To exist; be.

b. To remain or continue in existence.

2. To maintain life; live: subsisted on one meal a day.

3. To be logically conceivable.

v.tr.

To maintain or support with provisions.

[Latin subsistere, to support : sub-, sub- + sistere, to stand; see stā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

sub·sister n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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