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Definition of persistent - 5 dictionary results

per⋅sist⋅ent

[per-sis-tuhnt, -zis-]
–adjective
1. persisting, esp. in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering: a most annoyingly persistent young man.
2. lasting or enduring tenaciously: the persistent aroma of verbena; a persistent cough.
3. constantly repeated; continued: persistent noise.
4. Biology.
a. continuing or permanent.
b. having continuity of phylogenetic characteristics.
5. Botany. remaining attached beyond the usual time, as flowers, flower parts, or leaves.

Origin:
1820–30; < L persistent- (s. of persistēns), prp. of persistere to persist; see -ent


per⋅sist⋅ent⋅ly, adverb


1. indefatigable, pertinacious, tenacious. See stubborn. 3. steady.


3. sporadic.
per·sis·tent   (pər-sĭs'tənt, -zĭs'-)   
adj.  
  1. Refusing to give up or let go; persevering obstinately.
  2. Insistently repetitive or continuous: a persistent ringing of the telephone.
  3. Existing or remaining in the same state for an indefinitely long time; enduring: persistent rumors; a persistent infection.
  4. Botany Lasting past maturity without falling off, as the calyx on an eggplant or the scales of a pine cone.
  5. Zoology Retained permanently, rather than disappearing in an early stage of development: the persistent gills of fishes.
per·sis'tent·ly adv.

Persistent

Per*sist"ent\, a. [L. persistens, -entis, p. pr. of persistere. See Persist.]

1. Inclined to persist; having staying qualities; tenacious of position or purpose.

2. (Biol.) Remaining beyond the period when parts of the same kind sometimes fall off or are absorbed; permanent; as, persistent teeth or gills; a persistent calyx; -- opposed to deciduous, and caducous.
Language Translation for : persistent
Spanish: persistente, insistente,
German: beharrlich,
Japanese: しつこい

Main Entry: per·sis·tent
Pronunciation: -t&nt
Function: adjective
1 : existing or continuing for a long time: as a : effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing persistent> b : degraded only slowly by the environment<persistent pesticides> c : remaining infective for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation <persistent viruses>
2 : continuing to exist despite interference or treatment persistent cough>

persistent
persistence

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