subsistency

Noun

subsistence (countable and uncountable, plural subsistences)

1. Real being; existence.
   • the human nature loseth its proper subsistence , and is assumed into the subsistence of the divine nature1686, Edward Stillingfleet, the Doctrines and Practices of the Church of Rome
2. The act of maintaining oneself at a minimum level.
3. Inherency.
   • the subsistence of qualities in bodies
4. Something (food, water, money, etc.) that is required to stay alive.
   • In the general course of human nature, a power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.1788, Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist, Dawson, Federalist 79, page 548

   Synonyms:

   sustenance

5. Embodiment or personification or hypostasis of an underlying principle or quality.