perseveration
Americannoun
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the act or process of perseverating.
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Psychiatry. the pathological, persistent repetition of a word, gesture, or act, often associated with brain damage or schizophrenia.
noun
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the tendency for an impression, idea, or feeling to dissipate only slowly and to recur during subsequent experiences
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an inability to change one's method of working when transferred from one task to another
Usage
What does perseveration mean? Perseveration is the act of repeating something, such as words or actions, over and over again. Perseveration is used both in a general sense and in the more specific contexts of psychology and speech pathology. In this sense, the act of perseveration is the persistent repetition of a word, gesture, or act. This can be the result of a brain injury or a condition like schizophrenia. The verb form or perseveration is perseverate. Example: I’m frustrated by the amount of perseveration it takes just to get the students to follow simple rules.
Etymology
Origin of perseveration
1605–15 in sense “perseverance”; persevere + -ation, or < Latin perseverātiōn-, stem of persevērātiō
Explanation
Perseveration is the act of continuing to repeat something to an extreme degree. A person's perseveration might mean they keep asking you the same question over and over, despite the fact that you've answered them. This word can describe a tendency to be repetitious or anxiously return to the same topic of conversation. It's also used in a more clinical way, for someone who has a disorder that causes them to be unable to switch off a specific thought or idea. Trauma to the brain can result in perseveration. The word shares a Latin root with persevere, which also means "continue," but has a more positive connotation than perseveration.
Vocabulary lists containing perseveration
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Perseveration; some stereotypy; sound reactions; unclassified reactions many of which are probably due to distraction.
From A Study of Association in Insanity by Kent, Grace Helen
Perseveration shown by numerous instances of association to preceding reaction.
From A Study of Association in Insanity by Kent, Grace Helen
Perseveration; record almost entirely made up of instances of association to preceding reaction.
From A Study of Association in Insanity by Kent, Grace Helen
Perseveration: numerous instances of association to preceding reaction; unclassified reactions, mostly incoherent.
From A Study of Association in Insanity by Kent, Grace Helen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
