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Definition of persist - 4 dictionary results
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per⋅sist

  [per-sist, -zist]
Use persist in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
per⋅sist⋅er, noun
per⋅sist⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
per⋅sis⋅tive, adjective
per⋅sis⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
per⋅sis⋅tive⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1, 2. See continue. 3. insist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To persist
per·sist   (pər-sĭst', -zĭst')   
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : persist
Spanish: persistir, continuar; insistir, empeñarse,
German: hartnäckig beharren auf,
Japanese: し続ける
More Translations »

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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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