subsistence Look up subsistence at Dictionary.com
early 15c., "existence, independence," from L.L. subsistentia "substance, reality," from L. subsistens, prp. of subsistere "stand still or firm," from sub "under, up to" + sistere "to assume a standing position," from stare "to stand" (see assist). Properly a loan-translation of Gk. hypostasis "subsistence," lit. "anything placed under." Meaning "provision of support for animal life" is from 1640s. Subsist (v.) is attested from 1540s.