Webster's English Dictionary

existence

ex.is.tence \ig-'zis-t*n(t)s\ n 1a: reality as opposed to appearance  1b: 
   reality as presented in experience  1c1: the totality of existent things  
   1c2: a particular being  1d: sentient or living being : LIFE  2a: the state 
   or fact of having being esp. independently of consciousness o r knowledge 
   2b: being with respect to a limiting condition or under a particular aspect 
    2c: the condition of a person aware of his radically contingent yet free 
   an d responsible nature 3: continued or repeated manifestation