Not only the things had subsistence, but the very
images were of some creatures existing.
--Stillingfleet.
2. Inherency; as, the subsistence of qualities in bodies.
3. That which furnishes support to animal life; means of
support; provisions, or that which produces provisions;
livelihood; as, a meager subsistence.
His viceroy could only propose to himself a
comfortable subsistence out of the plunder of his
province. --Addison.
4. (Theol.) Same as {Hypostasis}, 2. --Hooker.