Are, from the first (5)

I believe the answer is:

exist

'are' is the definition.
('they are' means 'they exist')

'from the first' is the wordplay.
'from' becomes 'ex' ('from' in Latin).
'the first' becomes 'ist' (ist resembles est).
'ex'+'ist'='EXIST'

(Other definitions for exist that I've seen before include "Subsist" , "Survive" , "Have being or continue living" , "quick!" , "Have objective reality" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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