— persister , n. — persistingly , adv. — persistive , adj. — persistively , adv. — persistiveness , n.
/peuhr sist", -zist"/ , v.i.
1. to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, esp. 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.
[ 1530-40; persistere lit., to stand firm permanently, equiv. to per- PER- + -sistere, akin to stare to STAND ]
Syn. 1, 2. See continue. 3. insist.