Library / English Dictionary

PERSIST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Be persistent, refuse to stop

Example:

The child persisted and kept asking questions

Synonyms:

hang in; hang on; hold on; persevere; persist

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "persist" is one way to...):

bear on; carry on; continue; preserve; uphold (keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "persist"):

obstinate (persist stubbornly)

ask for it; ask for trouble (persist with actions or an attitude despite the probability that it will cause trouble)

plug; plug away (persist in working hard)

follow; stick to; stick with (keep to)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE

Derivation:

persistence (the act of persisting or persevering; continuing or repeating behavior)

persistency (persistent determination)

persistent (never-ceasing)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Continue to exist

Example:

The legend of Elvis endures

Synonyms:

die hard; endure; persist; prevail; run

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "persist" is one way to...):

continue (exist over a prolonged period of time)

Verb group:

run (occur persistently)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "persist"):

carry over (transfer or persist from one stage or sphere of activity to another)

reverberate (have a long or continuing effect)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

persistent (retained; not shed)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Stay behind

Example:

The hostility remained long after they made up

Synonyms:

persist; remain; stay

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "persist"):

stick (endure)

linger (remain present although waning or gradually dying)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Derivation:

persistent (retained; not shed)

Credits

 Context examples: 

The process of taking a data object from a transport operation or persisted storage location and converting it back to its original form.

(Deserialization, NCI Thesaurus)

Delta-FosB is an unusually stable splice variant of the immediate early FosB gene, accumulating and persisting in the brain long after drug is removed.

(FosB Drug-induction Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

At first I attempted to prevent her but she persisted, and entering the room where it lay, hastily examined the neck of the victim, and clasping her hands exclaimed, ‘O God!

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

It is most commonly caused by trichophyton rubrum and is characterized by the formation of spongy granulomas which persist for three to four months and leaves deep scars.

(Deep Seated Dermatophytosis, NCI Thesaurus)

Pain that can range from mild to severe, and persists or progresses over a long period of time.

(Chronic Pain, NCI Dictionary)

But, in the study, the scientists show that replication-competent HIV persists in specific subsets of CD4+ immune memory T-cells.

(HIV seeks refuge in immune cells to avoid full elimination, SciDev.Net)

The Tongan island is the third “surtseyan” volcanic island in the last 150 years to emerge and persist for more than a few months.

(NASA Shows New Tongan Island Made of Tuff Stuff, Likely to Persist Years, NASA)

Following the TIL infusion, all seven metastatic lung nodules in the patient regressed, and the regression persisted for nine months.

(Cellular immunotherapy targets a common human cancer mutation, NIH)

The researchers showed that, if it were possible to eliminate bisphenol contaminants completely, the effects would still persist for about three generations.

(Reproductive Problems Reported In Lab Mice after BPA Replacements in Plastics, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

"I ain't feelin' special enthusiastic," Bill persisted.

(White Fang, by Jack London)