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| ex·is·tence [ ig zíst'nss ] |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. being real: the state of being real, actual, or current, rather than imagined, invented, or obsolete
  evidence for the existence of other worlds
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2. presence in place or situation: the presence or occurrence of something in a particular place or situation
discovered the existence of the bacterium in sheep
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3. (plural ex·is·tences) way of living: a way of living, especially a life of severe hardship
scratch out a pitiable existence
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4. everything: all living things
hymns that celebrate the wonder of existence
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5. (plural ex·is·tences) single living thing: something that lives or exists
(
literary or archaic
)
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| [14th century. Directly or via French< late Latin existentia< Latin ex(s)istere "emerge, come into being" < sistere "cause to stand firm"] |
