PERSIST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does persist mean? 

• PERSIST (verb)
  The verb PERSIST has 3 senses:

1. continue to exist

2. be persistent, refuse to stop

3. stay behind

  Familiarity information: PERSIST used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PERSIST (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they persist    ... he / she / it persists   
Past simple: persisted   
Past participle: persisted   
-ing form: persisting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Continue to exist

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

die hard; endure; persist; prevail; run

Context example:

The legend of Elvis endures

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 2

Meaning:

Be persistent, refuse to stop

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

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

Context example:

The child persisted and kept asking questions

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 3

Meaning:

Stay behind

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

persist; remain; stay

Context example:

The hostility remained long after they made up

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)

 Context examples 

"Well, are you going to tackle it?" Olney persisted.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Studies of subglacial lakes may contain clues as to how microbial life might persist in the outer solar system, where ice-covered moons orbit the larger planets.

(Methane-eating bacteria in lake deep beneath Antarctic ice sheet may reduce greenhouse gas emissions, National Science Foundation)

They will see how long the elevated dust levels persist, which will help them calculate how often such events happen around this and other stars.

(Spitzer Telescope Witnesses Asteroid Smashup, NASA)

"I'll stay anyway," the other persisted.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

So the Doctor persisted in making the engagement for her, and Mr. Jack Maldon was to come back to dinner.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She no longer considered the dogs, and because she was sore and tired, she persisted in riding on the sled.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

“But I know men club them,” I persisted.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

These findings suggest that pelvic floor muscle spasm may be experienced by women with endometriosis and contribute to pain persisting after standard treatment.

(Scientists identify spasm in women with endometriosis-associated chronic pelvic pain, National Institutes of Health)

The researchers also linked the physical PCD symptoms that can persist after TBI to elevated levels of tau, independent of other psychological symptoms such as PTSD and depression.

(Key protein found to have role in long-term complications from traumatic brain injury, NIH)

They persist and interfere with your everyday life.

(Depression, NIH: National Institute of Mental Health)