Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX-IST'ENCE, n.

1. The state of being or having essence; as, the existence of body and of soul in union; the separate existence of the soul; immortal existence; temporal existence.
2. Life; animation.
3. Continued being; duration; continuation. We speak of the existence of troubles or calamities, or of happiness. During the existence of national calamities, our pious ancestors always had recourse to prayer for divine aid.