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persist

 [per-sist, -zist]   Example Sentences Origin

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
EXPAND
non·per·sist·ing, adjective
un·per·sist·ing, adjective
COLLAPSE

Synonyms
1, 2. See continue. 3. insist.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Persist is one of our favorite verbs.
So is absquatulate. Does it mean:
to flee; abscond:
to spend time idly; loaf.
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Example Sentences
  • Flowers persist beyond bloom periods, gradually turning green.
  • You admit that it isn't feasible yet you persist with the myth.
  • Many experts envision a jobless recovery, in which the economy grows but job losses persist.
EXPAND
Collins
World English Dictionary
persist (pəˈsɪst)
 
—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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