existat

Existat is a Latin verb form that appears in philosophical, theological, and literary Latin. It is the third-person singular present active subjunctive of the verb existō (to exist) or existere. As a subjunctive, existat expresses potentiality, wish, or contingency, and is commonly rendered in English as “may exist” or “let it exist.” By contrast, the corresponding indicative present is existit, meaning “it exists.”

Etymology and form: The form exists within the larger family of Latin existential verbs built from the stem exist- plus the subjunctive ending -at. The same root also yields related nouns such as existentia (existence). The subjunctive mood in Latin signals non-factual, hypothetical, or desirable states, which is why existat appears in clauses that present possibility, doubt, or exhortation rather than straightforward assertion.

Usage and context: Existat occurs in classical, medieval, and ecclesiastical Latin texts, particularly in discussions of ontology, metaphysics, or debates about the nature of being. It is often found in clauses introduced by ut or quod to express purpose, wish, or hypothetical existence. In translation, its sense is context-dependent, typically rendered as “may exist” or “let it exist” in philosophical statements about existence or feasibility.

Translations and notes: Because existat is a subjunctive form, its exact English rendering depends on the surrounding clause and verb of main thought. It is not a standalone assertion but part of a larger expression about possibility or desirability. For learners, consult Latin grammar resources for subjunctive usage and examples in scholarly Latin texts.