/ ɪgˈzɪstənt; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
( formal ) existing; real :
creatures existent in nature
OPP non-existent
■ noun
( philosophy ) a thing that is real and exists :
The self is the only knowable existent.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Latin exsistent- coming into being, emerging, from the verb exsistere come into being, from ex- out + sistere take a stand.