[sub.sist] vb [LL subsistere to exist, fr. L, to come to a halt, remain, fr. sub- + sistere to come to a stand; akin to L stare to stand--more at stand] vi (1549) 1 a: to have existence: be b: persist, continue
2: to have or acquire the necessities of life (as food and clothing); esp: to nourish oneself "~ing on roots, berries and grubs" 3 a: to hold true b: to be logically conceivable as the subject of true statements ~ vt: to support with provisions