Pēr'se-vēr'ance, n.

n. [Lat. perseverantia, Fr. persévérance, Pr. perseverancia, perseveranza, Sp. perseverancia, perseveranza, It. perseveranzia, perseveranza.] 1. The act of persevering or persisting in any thing undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business or enterprise begun. “The king, becoming graces, perseverance, mercy, holiness.” Shak. Whose constant perseverance overcame Whate’er his cruel malice could invent. Milton.

2. (Theol.) Continuance in, or conservation of, the Christian character, and the consequent favor of God;—sometimes called final perseverance.
3. The power to perceive clearly, or to distinguish; perception. [Obs.] Harrington.

Syn.—Persistence; steadfastness; constancy; steadiness.