subsists

Subsist is an intransitive verb with two primary senses. It means to maintain or support oneself at a minimal level, or to continue to exist, especially under hardship. It is commonly used with on, upon, or through to indicate the source of sustenance, as in “a family subsists on a modest pension” or “the community subsists through fishing and aid.” In philosophical or legal contexts it can refer to the continued existence of something within a framework.

In usage, subsist emphasizes endurance and basic viability rather than growth or prosperity. It is often used in humanitarian, economic, and anthropological writing to describe livelihoods that meet only essential needs. The term also appears in biology and ecology when referring to an organism or population that subsists on particular resources, such as detritus or algae.

Etymology: The verb derives from Latin subsistere “to stand under, to stand still,” formed from sub- “under” + sistere “to cause to stand.” The English form is attested from the 14th century. Related terms include subsistence (the state of existing at a basic level) and subsistent (adjective). In philosophy, “subsist” can indicate that something has actual existence in a subject, rather than merely as a property.

In summary, subsist denotes existing or maintaining life at a minimal level, often by relying on limited resources, and is distinct from broader notions of thriving or flourishing.