persistent

[ per-sis-tuhnt, -zis- ]
/ pərˈsɪs tənt, -ˈzɪs- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR persistent ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering: a most annoyingly persistent young man.
lasting or enduring tenaciously: the persistent aroma of verbena; a persistent cough.
constantly repeated; continued: persistent noise.
Biology.
  1. continuing or permanent.
  2. having continuity of phylogenetic characteristics.
Botany. remaining attached beyond the usual time, as flowers, flower parts, or leaves.

Origin of persistent

1820–30; < Latin persistent- (stem of persistēns), present participle of persistere to persist; see -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM persistent

per·sist·ent·ly, adverb non·per·sist·ent, adjective non·per·sist·ent·ly, adverb

Words nearby persistent

persis, persist, persistence, persistence of memory, the, persistence of vision, persistent, persistent anterior hyperplastic primary vitreous body, persistent chronic hepatitis, persistent cruelty, persistent organic pollutant, persistent posterior hyperplastic primary vitreous body

Words related to persistent

tenacious, stubborn, unrelenting, constant, enduring, steadfast, resolute, perpetual, steady, incessant, repeated, insistent, unremitting, continual, relentless, endless, assiduous, bound, dogged, firm

Example sentences from the Web for persistent

British Dictionary definitions for persistent

persistent
/ (pəˈsɪstənt) /

adjective

showing persistence
incessantly repeated; unrelenting your persistent questioning
(of plant parts) remaining attached to the plant after the normal time of withering a fruit surrounded by a persistent perianth
zoology
  1. (of parts normally present only in young stages) present in the adultpersistent gills in axolotls
  2. continuing to grow or develop after the normal period of growthpersistent teeth
(of a chemical, esp when used as an insecticide) slow to break down; not easily degradable

Derived forms of persistent

persistently, adverb