per·sist

[per-sist, -zist]
verb (used without object)
1.
to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially 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; < Latin persistere literally, to stand firm permanently, equivalent 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
non·per·sist·ing, adjective
un·per·sist·ing, adjective

Synonyms
1, 2. See continue. 3. insist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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to run away hurriedly; flee.
to spend time idly; loaf.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
persist (pəˈsɪst) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—vb
1.  (often foll by in) to continue steadfastly or obstinately despite opposition or difficulty
2.  to continue to exist or occur without interruption: the rain persisted throughout the night
 
[C16: from Latin persistere, from per- (intensive) + sistere to stand steadfast, from stāre to stand]
 
per'sister
 
—n

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

persist
1530s, from M.Fr. persister (14c.), from L. persistere "continue steadfastly," from per- "thoroughly" + sistere "come to stand, cause to stand still" (see assist).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Despite several threats to their lives, the sleuthing sister and her sidekick
  persist and finally ferret out the culprit.
Therefore, as gravity is so intertwined with the perception of time, one cannot
  persist without the other.
The wonder is that material annual shortfalls persist among companies, without
  management and board accountability.
You admit that it isn't feasible yet you persist with the myth.
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