early 15c., "existence, independence," from Late Latin subsistentia "substance, reality," in Medieval Latin also "stability," from Latin subsistens, present participle of subsistere "stand still or firm" (see subsist). Latin subsistentia is a loan-translation of Greek hypostasis "foundation, substance, real nature, subject matter; that which settles at the bottom, sediment," literally "anything set under." In the English word, meaning "act or process of support for physical life" is from 1640s.
实用例句
1. The standard of living today is on the edge of subsistence.
现在的生活水平几乎快要无法维持生计。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Many black Namibians are subsistence farmers who live in the arid borderlands.
许多生活在土地贫瘠的边境地区的纳米比亚黑人农场主的收成仅够维持自身的口粮。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Many families are living below the level of subsistence.
许多家庭难以度日。
来自《权威词典》
4. She had no means of subsistence and was dependent on charity.
她没什么谋生手段,只能依靠救济.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. They were living barely above the level of subsistence.