| subsistence | 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. Same as Hypostasis. Origin: Cf. F. Subsistance, L. Subsistentia. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| subsistence diet | A meager diet providing barely enough for sustenance. (05 Mar 2000) |