'Subsistence' definitions:

Definition of 'subsistence'

From: WordNet
noun
Minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting; "social security provided only a bare subsistence"
noun
A means of surviving; "farming is a hard means of subsistence"
noun
The state of existing in reality; having substance

Definition of 'Subsistence'

From: GCIDE
  • Subsistence \Sub*sist"ence\, n. [Cf. F. subsistance, L. subsistentia.]
  • 1. Real being; existence. [1913 Webster]
  • Not only the things had subsistence, but the very images were of some creatures existing. --Stillingfleet. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Inherency; as, the subsistence of qualities in bodies. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. That which furnishes support to animal life; means of support; provisions, or that which produces provisions; livelihood; as, a meager subsistence. [1913 Webster]
  • His viceroy could only propose to himself a comfortable subsistence out of the plunder of his province. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Theol.) Same as Hypostasis, 2. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]