Other forms: coexisted, coexisting, coexists
To coexist is to live alongside each other without conflict. Peacefully coexist, coexist with, learn to coexist.
It implies difference held in tolerance rather than agreement, which is why it suits religions, species and neighbours. Peaceful coexistence was the formal Soviet term for relations with the West during the Cold War. Note coexistence; and that the word is co- plus exist, and does not promise anything warmer than not fighting.
1verbcoexistTo live alongside each other without conflict.
“Cats and dogs can coexist peacefully if they grow up together.”
coexist is a living alongside.
Co- plus exist, from Latin existere, to stand forth. Exist, insist and stand come from the same standing.
Proto-Indo-European
*stísteh₂ti
Latin
exsisto — I am, I exist, appear, arise
French
exister
English
exist
English, today
coexist
Built from
From co + exist. Compare Latin coexsistō. exist comes from French exister, from Latin exsisto (“I am, I exist, appear, arise”), from ex (“out”) + sisto (“to set, place”) (related to stō (“to stand, to be stood”)), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European stísteh₂ti, from the root steh₂- (“stand”); see stand. Compare assist, consist, desist, insist, persist, resist. Cognate with Spanish existir, French exister, Italian esistere, German existieren.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA