Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
per·sist
\\pər-ˈsist, -ˈzist\\ intransitive verb ETYMOLOGY Middle French persister, from Latin persistere, from per- + sistere to take a stand, stand firm; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand
DATE 1538
1. to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning2. obsolete : to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified character, condition, or position
3. to be insistent in the repetition or pressing of an utterance (as a question or an opinion)4. to continue to exist especially past a usual, expected, or normal timeSynonyms: see continue
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per·sist·er noun persist
1530s, from M.Fr. persister (14c.), from L. persistere "continue steadfastly," from per- "thoroughly" + sistere "come to stand, cause to stand still" (see assist).
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
persist
per·sist / pE5sist; NAmE pEr5s- / verb1. ~ (in sth / in doing sth) | ~ (with sth) to continue to do sth despite difficulties or opposition, in a way that can seem unreasonable
顽强地坚持；执着地做:
▪ [V]
Why do you persist in blaming yourself for what happened?
你何必为已发生的事没完没了地自责？
She persisted in her search for the truth.
她执着地追求真理。
He persisted with his questioning.
他问个不停。
▪ [V speech]
'So, did you agree or not?' he persisted.
"那么你同意了没有？"他叮问道。
2. [V] to continue to exist
维持；保持；持续存在:
If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
如果症状持续不消除,就得去看医生。
Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English
Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishpersist
verb
1 continue doing sth
ADV. doggedly, stubbornly
PREP. in If you persist in upsetting her, I will have to punish you. | with The detective stubbornly persisted with his questions.
2 continue to exist
ADV. still, to this day a belief that persists to this day | indefinitely
VERB + PERSIST be likely to | tend to | be allowed to This situation cannot be allowed to persist.
PREP. for If symptoms persist for more than a few days, see a doctor. | into These practices persisted into the Middle Ages. | through/throughout The depression persisted through much of the 1930s. | until The snows persisted until the second month of the new year.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
per·sist
\pə(r)ˈsist
also -ˈzi-\
verb
(
-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle French
persister, from Latin
persistere, from
per-, intensive prefix +
sistere to stand firm; akin to Latin
stare to stand — more at
per-
,
stand
intransitive verb1. : to go on resolutely or stubbornly despite opposition, importunity, or warning
: continue firmly or obstinately
< persist in a bad habit >2. obsolete : to remain unchanged or fixed in a usually specified character, condition, or position
: continue to be
< but for thee, I had persisted happy — John Milton >3. : to be insistent in the repetition or pressing of an utterance (as a question, an excuse, or an opinion)
4. : to continue to exist or endure (as beyond a normal period or after the removal of a cause)
: recur constantly
< characteristics that persist through generations >
< a melody that persists in the mind >transitive verb: to repeat or press (an utterance) insistently
: continue saying
: urge
Synonyms: see continue
,
persevere