1540s, "to exist;" c. 1600, "retain the existing state," from Middle French subsister and directly from Latin subsistere "to stand still or firm, take a stand, take position; abide, hold out," from sub "under, up to" (see sub-) + sistere "to assume a standing position, stand still, remain; set, place, cause to stand still" (see assist (v.)). Meaning "to support oneself" (in a certain way) is from 1640s. Related: Subsisted; subsisting.
例文
1. Old people often subsist on very small incomes.
老人は非常にわずかな収入で苦労して暮らしていることが多い。
2.Almost every employee must moonlight in second jobs simply to subsist .
生計維持のためだけに、ほとんどの社員がこっそりアルバイトをしなければならない。
3.The living things on the earth could not subsist on Mars.