per·se·vere

[pur-suh-veer] verb, per·se·vered, per·se·ver·ing.
verb (used without object)
1.
to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.
2.
to persist in speech, interrogation, argument, etc.; insist.
verb (used with object)
3.
to bolster, sustain, or uphold: unflagging faith that had persevered him.

Origin:
1325–75; Middle English perseveren < Middle French perseverer < Latin persevērāre to persist, derivative of persevērus very strict. See per-, severe


1. See continue.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To persevere
00:10
Persevere is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
Collins
World English Dictionary
persevere (ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪə) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb (often foll by in)
to show perseverance
 
[C14: from Old French perseverer, from Latin persevērāre, from perseverus very strict; see severe]
 
perse'vering
 
adj
 
perse'veringly
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

persevere
mid-14c., from O.Fr. perseverer, from L. perseverare "continue steadfastly, persist," from persevereus "very strict, earnest," from per- "very" + severus "strict" (see severity).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Most valuable was the sheer ability to persevere-to sit down and put ideas together and write, no matter what.
But taxpayers who persevere can prepare taxes for a fraction of the cost of
  hiring a tax preparer.
But they should persevere, not least because they are far likelier to make an
  impact if they can get the public on their side.
Their goal was to provide positive feedback that would help smokers persevere
  in their attempt to quit.
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT