subsistence
pronunciation
How to pronounce subsistence in British English:
UK [səbˈsɪstəns]
How to pronounce subsistence in American English:
US [səbˈsɪstəns]
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- Noun:
- minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting
- a means of surviving
- the state of existing in reality; having substance
Word Origin
- subsistence (n.)
- early 15c., "existence, independence," from Late Latin subsistentia "substance, reality," in Medieval Latin also "stability," from Latin subsistens, present participle of subsistere "stand still or firm" (see subsist). Latin subsistentia is a loan-translation of Greek hypostasis "foundation, substance, real nature, subject matter; that which settles at the bottom, sediment," literally "anything set under." In the English word, meaning "act or process of support for physical life" is from 1640s.
Example
- 1. Islands of capitalism existed amid a sea of subsistence labour .
- 2. The chinese people are likewise confronted with all sorts of problems for subsistence .
- 3. People increasingly took up subsistence herding to escape joblessness in the towns .
- 4. Millions of people are moving from subsistence farming to urban manufacturing , resulting in a massive boost to output .
- 5. Beyond subsistence , the best experience any society can provide is the feeling that other people are on your side .