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.
雙語例句
1. The standard of living today is on the edge of subsistence.
現在的生活水平幾乎快要無法維持生計。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Many black Namibians are subsistence farmers who live in the arid borderlands.
許多生活在土地貧瘠的邊境地區的納米比亞黑人農場主的收成僅夠維持自身的口糧。
來自柯林斯例句
3. Many families are living below the level of subsistence.
許多家庭難以度日。
來自《權威詞典》
4. She had no means of subsistence and was dependent on charity.
她沒什么謀生手段,只能依靠救濟.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
5. They were living barely above the level of subsistence.