existence

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The fact or state of being real or present.

   Scientists searched for proof of the planet's existence.

2. 2
   noun

   A particular way of living, especially a difficult one.

   They led a quiet existence in a small mountain village.

From Middle English existence, from Old French existence, from Late Latin existentia (“existence”), from existēns, from existō, exsistō (“I am, I exist”), from ex (“out”) + sistere (“to set, place”) (related to stare (“to stand, to be stood”)), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *stísteh₂ti, from the root *steh₂- (“stand”). Cognate with Spanish existencia, French existence, German Existenz. Morphologically exist + -ence.

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