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Added 6 October 2026

survive

/səˈvaɪv/ verb

In Latin: supersum, vivo, supersto Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about survive at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Continue to live and avoid dying.
We went without water and food for 3 days
Continue in existence after (an adversity, etc.).
He survived the cancer against all odds
Support oneself.
he could barely exist on such a low wage

Origin

From Anglo-Norman survivre, Old French survivre, from Late Latin supervīvere (“to outlive”), from Latin super (“over”) + vivere (“to live”), akin to vita (“life”). See vivid. Compare devive, revive.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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