adj.
Pronunciation: -t ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin persistent-, persistens, present participle of persistere
Date: 1826
1 : existing for a long or longer than usual time or continuously: as a : retained beyond the usual period <a persistent leaf> b : continuing without change in function or structure < persistent gills> c : effective in the open for an appreciable time usually through slow volatilizing <mustard gas is persistent > d : degraded only slowly by the environment < persistent pesticides> e : remaining infective for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation < persistent viruses>
2 a : continuing or inclined to persist in a course b : continuing to exist in spite of interference or treatment <a persistent cough>
– per · sis · tent · ly adverb