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persistent

[per-sis-tuh nt, -zis-] /pərˈsɪs tənt, -ˈzɪs-/
adjective
1.
persisting, especially in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, etc.; persevering:
a most annoyingly persistent young man.
2.
lasting or enduring tenaciously:
the persistent aroma of verbena; a persistent cough.
3.
constantly repeated; continued:
persistent noise.
4.
Biology.
  1. continuing or permanent.
  2. having continuity of phylogenetic characteristics.
5.
Botany. remaining attached beyond the usual time, as flowers, flower parts, or leaves.
Origin of persistent
Latin
1820-1830
1820-30; < Latin persistent- (stem of persistēns), present participle of persistere to persist; see -ent
Related forms
persistently, adverb
nonpersistent, adjective
nonpersistently, adverb
Synonyms
1. indefatigable, pertinacious, tenacious. See stubborn. 3. steady.
Antonyms
3. sporadic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2016.
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British Dictionary definitions for nonpersistent

nonpersistent

/ˌnɒnpəˈsɪstənt/
adjective
1.
(of pesticides) breaking down rapidly after application; not persisting in the environment

persistent

/pəˈsɪstənt/
adjective
1.
showing persistence
2.
incessantly repeated; unrelenting: your persistent questioning
3.
(of plant parts) remaining attached to the plant after the normal time of withering: a fruit surrounded by a persistent perianth
4.
(zoology)
  1. (of parts normally present only in young stages) present in the adult: persistent gills in axolotls
  2. continuing to grow or develop after the normal period of growth: persistent teeth
5.
(of a chemical, esp when used as an insecticide) slow to break down; not easily degradable
Derived Forms
persistently, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for nonpersistent

persistent

adj.

1723, from persistence or from Latin persistentem (nominative persistens), present participle of persistere (see persist). Related: Persistently.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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nonpersistent in Medicine

nonpersistent non·per·sis·tent (nŏn'pər-sĭs'tənt)
adj.
Having a short life or existence under natural conditions.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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