existence

Everyday

1. Being real or being alive; the fact that something exists. tree →
2. A way of living, especially a hard or dull one: «a lonely existence». tree →
3. The phrase "in existence" means existing anywhere at all in the world. tree →

In the lessons

In science: «the existence of dinosaurs is proved by fossils». In everyday speech: «come into existence» (start), «go out of existence» (end). In stories: «a miserable existence» describes a hard life.

Examples

• Scientists proved the existence of the planet. tree →
• Fossils show the existence of dinosaurs long ago. tree →
• The club came into existence when we were in Year 3. tree →
• The poor mouse led a lonely existence. tree →
• Do you believe in the existence of ghosts? tree →
• Some animals are fighting for their existence. tree →
• This must be the best watering-place in existence. tree →

Note

Usually uncountable. Spelling trap: existence ends in -ence, not -ance. Verb: exist; adjective: existing. «In existence» = existing now.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The Sefer Yetzirah speaks of ten spheres (sefirot) of existence, made "out of nothing" by God. In the primary lessons: In science: «the existence of dinosaurs is proved by fossils». In everyday speech: «come into existence» (start), «go out of existence» (end). In stories: «a miserable existence» describes a hard life.

Examples

• These are the ten spheres of existence out of nothing. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• The following are the ten categories of existence out of nothing: (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• They then put the question, how came so many various beings into existence? (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

Usually uncountable. Spelling trap: existence ends in -ence, not -ance. Verb: exist; adjective: existing. «In existence» = existing now.