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.
实用例句
1. Old people often subsist on very small incomes.
老人往往靠十分微薄的收入艰难度日。来自《权威词典》
2. Almost every employee must moonlight in second jobs simply to subsist.
只是为了维持生计，几乎每个职员都要偷偷地做兼职。来自辞典例句
3. The living things on the earth could not subsist on Mars.
地球上的生物不可能在火星上生存.来自辞典例句
4. We are unable to subsist without air and water.
