Pĕr·se·vĕre', v. i.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. PERSEVERED; p. pr. & vb. n. PERSEVERING.] [Lat. perseverare, perseveratum, from perseverus, very strict, from prefix per, thoroughly, very, and severus, strict, severe; It. perseverare, Sp., Pg., & Pr. perseverar, Fr. persévérer.] To persist in any business or enterprise undertaken; to maintain a purpose against counter motives or influences; to pursue steadily any design or course commenced; not to give over or abandon what is undertaken.

Thrice happy, if they know Their happiness, and persevere upright. Milton.

To persevere in any evil course makes you unhappy in this life. Wake.

Synonyms—To PERSEVERE, CONTINUE, PERSIST. The idea of not laying aside is common to these words. Continue is the generic term, denoting simply to do as one has done hitherto. To persevere is to continue in a given course in spite of discouragements, &c., from a desire to obtain our end. To persist is to continue from a determination of will not to give up. The former is always used in a good sense, the latter frequently in a bad one. “We continue in some course of action from habit or casualty; we persevere from reflection and the exercise of one's judgment; we persist either from attachment or from a general fixity and determination of character.” “Persevere is applied only to matters of some importance which demand a steady purpose of the mind; persist is used in respect to the ordinary business of life, as well as on more important occasions. A learner perseveres in his studies; a child may persist in making a request, until he has obtained the object of his desire.” Crabb.