— perseverant , adj.
/perr'seuh vear"euhns/ , n.
1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
2. Theol. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.
[ 1300-50; ME perseveraunce perseverance perseverantia. See PERSEVERE, -ANCE ]
Syn. 1. doggedness, steadfastness. PERSEVERANCE, PERSISTENCE, TENACITY, PERTINACITY imply resolute and unyielding holding on in following a course of action. PERSEVERANCE commonly suggests activity maintained in spite of difficulties or steadfast and long-continued application: Endurance and perseverance combined to win in the end. It is regularly used in a favorable sense.
PERSISTENCE, which may be used in either a favorable or an unfavorable sense, implies unremitting (and sometimes annoying) perseverance: persistence in a belief; persistence in talking when others wish to study. TENACITY, with the original meaning of adhesiveness, as of glue, is a dogged and determined holding on. Whether used literally or figuratively it has favorable implications: a bulldog quality of tenacity; the tenacity of one's memory. PERTINACITY, unlike its related word, is used chiefly in an unfavorable sense, that of overinsistent tenacity: the pertinacity of the social climber.