2. To continue; to retain a certain state. Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve. Milton.
3. To be maintained with food and clothing; to be supported; to live. Milton. To subsist on other men's charity. Atterbury.
SUBSIST
Sub*sist", v. t.
Defn: To support with provisions; to feed; to maintain; as, to
subsist one's family.
He laid waste the adjacent country in order to render it more
difficult for the enemy to subsist their army. Robertson.
SUBSISTENCE
Sub*sist"ence, n. Etym: [Cf. F. subsistance, L. subsistentia.]
1. Real being; existence. Not only the things had subsistence, but the very images were of some creatures existing. Stillingfleet.
2. Inherency; as, the subsistence of qualities in bodies.
3. That which furnishes support to animal life; means of support; provisions, or that which produces provisions; livelihood; as, a meager subsistence. His viceroy could only propose to himself a comfortable subsistence out of the plunder of his province. Addison.
4. (Theol.)
Defn: Same as Hypostasis, 2. Hooker.