Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1600-1700
Language: Latin
Origin: exsistere 'to come into being, exist', from sistere 'to stand'

exist

 verb
     
ex‧ist S3 W1 [intransitive not in progressive]
1 to happen or be present in a particular situation or place:
The custom of arranged marriages still exists in many countries.
Opportunities exist for students to gain sponsorship.
Stop pretending that the problem doesn't exist.
The club will cease to exist if financial help is not found.
2 to be real or alive:
Do fairies really exist?
Tom acts as if I don't exist at times.
3 to stay alive, especially in a difficult situation when you do not have enough money, food etc [= survive]
exist on
The hostages existed on bread and water.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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