subsistence
subsistence Lexical Profile
subsistence Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself, especially at a minimal level that provides only the bare necessities of life.
"Many rural families in the region rely on small-scale agriculture for their daily subsistence."
The state or fact of existing, remaining in force, or continuing to be valid (especially in philosophy and law).
"The legal subsistence of the easement was confirmed by a review of the original county property deeds."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Subsistence' is very frequently used as an attributive noun modifier before another noun (e.g., 'subsistence farming', 'subsistence wage') to denote production or income sufficient only to meet basic survival needs without generating a surplus.
• Rhymes for subsistence
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Late Latin subsistentia ('substance, reality, stability'), from Latin subsistere ('to stand still, remain, survive'), composed of sub- ('under') and sistere ('to stand firm').