v. sub·sist·ed, sub·sist·ing, sub·sists v.intr. 1. 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·sister n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.