|pərsə|vi(ə)r, |pə̄s-, |pəis-, -iə, archaic pə(r)- ˈsevə(r) verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English perseveren, from Middle French perseverer, from Latin perseverare, from per-, intensive prefix + -severare (from severus serious, severe) — more at per- , severe
intransitive verb
1. : to persist in a state of life, in the pursuit of an end, or especially in an enterprise undertaken in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement : pursue steadily any project or course begun
2.
a. archaic : to continue either actively or passively : remain , abide
b. : to continue in a state of religious or spiritual grace
3. : to be persistent (as in arguing) : insist
transitive verb
: to give continued existence or assistance to : make steadfast
Synonyms:
persist: persevere and persist are often interchangeable in indicating continuing in the face of difficulty, opposition, and discouragement
I do not intend to take that cowardly course, but, on the contrary, to stand to my post and persevere in accordance with my duty as I see it — Sir Winston Churchill
this is the poetry within history, this is what causes mankind to persist beyond every defeat — Jean S. Untermeyer
persisted long after I was willing to abandon the search and to try to get some sleep — Mary R. Rinehart
persist may be more likely than persevere to imply stubborn obstinacy in an ill-advised course or to lead to a regrettable outcome
the eyes become tired if they persist in the work — Morris Fishbein
it is hard to see how they can have persisted so long in inflicting useless misery — Bertrand Russell
old savage customs have been allowed to persevere too long in many parts of the continent — C.L.Sulzberger