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persist
5 dictionary results for: Persist
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
per·sist       [per-sist, -zist] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used without object)
1.to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, esp. in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc.: to persist in working for world peace; to persist in unpopular political activities.
2.to last or endure tenaciously: The legend of King Arthur has persisted for nearly fifteen centuries.
3.to be insistent in a statement, request, question, etc.

[Origin: 1530–40; < L persistere lit., to stand firm permanently, equiv. to per- per- + -sistere, akin to stāre to stand]

per·sist·er, noun
per·sist·ing·ly, adverb
per·sis·tive, adjective
per·sis·tive·ly, adverb
per·sis·tive·ness, noun

1, 2. See continue. 3. insist.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
per·sist       (pər-sĭst', -zĭst')  Pronunciation Key 
intr.v.   per·sist·ed, per·sist·ing, per·sists
  1. To be obstinately repetitious, insistent, or tenacious.
  2. To hold firmly and steadfastly to a purpose, state, or undertaking despite obstacles, warnings, or setbacks.
  3. To continue in existence; last: hostilities that have persisted for years.


[Latin persistere : per-, per- + sistere, to stand; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]

per·sis'ter n.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
persist 
1538, from M.Fr. persister (14c.), from L. persistere "continue steadfastly," from per- "thoroughly" + sistere "come to stand, cause to stand still" (see assist). Persistence is attested from 1546; persistent is from 1826.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
persist

verb
1. continue to exist; "These stories die hard"; "The legend of Elvis endures" [syn: prevail
2. be persistent, refuse to stop; "he persisted to call me every night"; "The child persisted and kept asking questions" [syn: persevere
3. stay behind; "The smell stayed in the room"; "The hostility remained long after they made up" 

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Persist

Per*sist"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Persisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Persisting.] [L. persistere; per + sistere to stand or be fixed, fr. stare to stand: cf. F. persister. See Per-, and Stand.] To stand firm; to be fixed and unmoved; to stay; to continue steadfastly; especially, to continue fixed in a course of conduct against opposing motives; to persevere; -- sometimes conveying an unfavorable notion, as of doggedness or obstinacy.

If they persist in pointing their batteries against particular persons, no laws of war forbid the making reprisals. --Addison.

Some positive, persisting fops we know, Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so. --Pope.

That face persists. It floats up; it turns over in my mind. --Mrs. Browning.

Syn: See Persevere, and Insist.

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