subsist
pronunciation
How to pronounce subsist in British English:
UK [səbˈsɪst]
How to pronounce subsist in American English:
US [səbˈsɪst]
-
- Verb:
- support oneself
Word Origin
- subsist (v.)
- 1540s, "to exist;" c. 1600, "retain the existing state," from Middle French subsister and directly from Latin subsistere "to stand still or firm, take a stand, take position; abide, hold out," from sub "under, up to" (see sub-) + sistere "to assume a standing position, stand still, remain; set, place, cause to stand still" (see assist (v.)). Meaning "to support oneself" (in a certain way) is from 1640s. Related: Subsisted; subsisting.
Example
- 1. Many already subsist on the mere threshold of survival .
- 2. And how do the poor subsist on such a meagre amount ?
- 3. More than two-fifths of all africans still subsist on $ 1.25 a day .
- 4. According to malthusian logic , if you improve people 's ability to subsist on low incomes , the subsistence income falls as it has in africa , mr clark points out .
- 5. But public debt is ultimately a private burden : governments subsist by taxing private income and wealth , or through the ultimate capital levy of inflation or outright default .