Per-sīst', v. i.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. PERSISTED; p. pr. & vb. n. PERSISTING.] [Lat. persistere, from prefix per, through, and sistere, to stand or be fixed; Fr. persister, Sp. persistir, It. persistere.] To continue fixed in a course of conduct against opposing motives; to persevere.

If they persist in pointing their batteries against particular persons, no laws of war forbid the making reprisals. Addison.

Some positive, persisting fops we know, Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so. Pope.

That face persists. It floats up; it turns over in my mind. E. B. Browning.

Synonyms—To PERSIST, PERSEVERE, CONTINUE. Persist is nearly synonymous with persevere; but persist frequently implies more obstinacy than persevere, particularly in that which is evil or injurious to others. See PERSISTERE.