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; < Latinpersistere literally, to stand firm permanently, equivalent to per-per- + -sistere, akin to stāre to stand
1530s, from M.Fr. persister (14c.), from L. persistere "continue steadfastly," from per- "thoroughly" + sistere "come to stand, cause to stand still" (see assist).