Sub*sist" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Subsisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Subsisting.] [L. subsistere to stand still, stay, remain alive; sub under + sistere to stand, to cause to stand, from stare to stand: cf. F. subsister. See Stand.]
1.
To be; to have existence; to inhere.
And makes what happiness we justly call,
Subsist not in the good of one, but all.
Pope.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Sub*sist", v. t.
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.
© Webster 1913.