existent, a. and n.
(ɛgˈzɪstənt)
[ad. L. ex(s)istent-em, pr. pple. of ex(s)istĕre: see exist.]
A. adj.
1. That exists, existing; having being or existence. Often emphasized by actually, really, truly, etc.
| 1561 Eden Arte Nauig. Pref., One common sence existent in them all. 1594 Mirr. Policy (1599) Q iij, Some bad Societie aimeth at an apparent but not existent good. 1656 tr. Hobbes' Elem. Philos. (1839) 18 Whether that thing be truly existent, or be only feigned. 1734 Jackson Existence of God 46 There is but one necessarily existent Being. 1793 Gouv. Morris in Sparks Life & Writ. (1832) II. 302 Forty five thousand men were about the existent force. 1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv. lxxxvii, And thou, dread statue! yet existent in The austerest form of naked majesty. 1860 Bright Sp. Ch. Rates 27 Apr., A power which is found to be greatly less existent in a congregation of the Established Church. 1868 Rogers Pol. Econ. iii. (ed. 3) 27 The quantity [of gold] existent and in circulation. |
| absol. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1352 Usurping the name of the true Jehovah or alwaies Existent. 1653 H. More Antid. Ath. i. viii. (1712) 146 He declares why the Existent should exist. 1875 Encycl. Brit. II. 522/2 Pure unconditioned actuality, the ever existent, or God. |
2. Now existing; present-day.
| 1791 Burke Th. Fr. Affairs Wks. VII. 72 To govern the existent body with as sovereign a sway as they had done the last. 1874 Ruskin Fors Clav. IV. xliii. 153 It gives you types of existent Frenchmen..of a very different class. |
B. n. An existent person or thing.
| 1644 Bp. Maxwell Prerog. Chr. Kings ii. 31 Frequently expressions in the abstract expresse existents in the concrete. 1655 H. More App. Antid. (1662) 146 If there be any necessary Existent, it is plain that it is Matter. 1722 Wollaston Relig. Nat. v. 69 For He is a necessary existent. a 1878 Lewes Study Psychol. (1879) 51 These same phenomena viewed..no longer as modes or existences, but as subjects or existents. |
Hence
eˈxistently adv.| 1694 R. Burthogge Reason 67 Sentiments (as such) are, in their own formalities, but apparently only, not existently, without the faculties that so conceive them. |