| Noun | 1. | bread and butter - the financial means whereby one lives; "each child was expected to pay for their keep"; "he applied to the state for support"; "he could no longer earn his own livelihood"resource - available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed maintenance - means of maintenance of a family or group subsistence - minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting; "social security provided only a bare subsistence" | |