Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “subsistence” come from?

Subsistence comes from Latin subsistentia, from subsistens, the present participle of subsistere, combining sub- (under) with steh₂- (to stand), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to stand under or support.

subsistence (English): Real being; existence; The act of maintaining...

Definitions

  1. Real being; existence; The act of maintaining...

Ancestry of “subsistence”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinsubsistentianominative neuter plural of subsistēns;...
2Latinsubsistenshalting, stopping
3Latinsubsistō—
4Latinsistō—
5Proto-Italicsistōstand; place
6Proto-Indo-Europeanstísteh₂tito be standing up, to be getting up
7Proto-Indo-Europeansteh₂-to stand
Every word from Proto-Indo-European steh₂- →