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.

2. To continue; to retain a certain state.

Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve.

3. To be maintained with food and clothing; to be supported; to live. Milton.

To subsist on other men's charity.

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.

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.

2. To continue; to retain a certain state.

Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve.

3. To be maintained with food and clothing; to be supported; to live. Milton.

To subsist on other men's charity.

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.

• To survive on a minimum of resources.
       With her current income, Janet cannot thrive, she can only subsist.