subsistence — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Real being; existence.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   the human nature loseth its proper subsistence , and is assumed into the subsistence of the divine nature

2. The act of maintaining oneself at a minimum level.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. Inherency.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   the subsistence of qualities in bodies

4. Something (food, water, money, etc.) that is required to stay alive.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   In the general course of human nature, a power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.

   His viceroy could only propose to himself a comfortable subsistence out of the plunder of his province.

5. Embodiment or personification or hypostasis of an underlying principle or quality.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting

   Broader terms

   supportkeeplivelihoodlivingbread and buttersustenance

   Examples

   social security provided only a bare subsistence

2. a means of surviving

   Broader terms

   survivalendurance

   Examples

   farming is a hard means of subsistence

3. the state of existing in reality; having substance

   Broader terms

   beingbeingnessexistenceface of the earth