Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Language: French
Origin: persister, from Latin persistere, from sistere 'to stand firm'

persist

 verb
     
per‧sist
1 [intransitive and transitive] to continue to do something, although this is difficult, or other people oppose it
persist in (doing) something
He persisted in his refusal to admit responsibility.
persist with
She persisted with her studies in spite of financial problems.
'I don't think it's right,' John persisted.
2 [intransitive] if something bad persists, it continues to exist or happen:
If the pain persists, you must see a doctor.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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