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persist definition

per·sist (pər sist′, -zist′)

intransitive verb

  1. to refuse to give up, esp. when faced with opposition or difficulty; continue firmly or steadily
  2. to continue insistently, as in repeating a question
  3. to continue to exist or prevail; endure; remain

Etymology: MFr persister < L persistere < per, through + sistere, to cause to stand, redupl. of base of stare, to stand

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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