definitions

persevere

[ pur-suh-veer ]
/ ˌpɜr səˈvɪər /
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verb (used without object), per·se·vered, per·se·ver·ing.

to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.
to persist in speech, interrogation, argument, etc.; insist.

verb (used with object), per·se·vered, per·se·ver·ing.

to bolster, sustain, or uphold: unflagging faith that had persevered him.

RELATED WORDS

proceed, pursue, endure, persist, remain, continue, maintain

Nearby words

perseus cluster, perseverance, perseverant, perseverate, perseveration, persevere, persevering, pershing, pershing ii, pershing, john, pershing, john joseph

Origin of persevere

1325–75; Middle English perseveren < Middle French perseverer < Latin persevērāre to persist, derivative of persevērus very strict. See per-, severe

Synonym study

1. See continue.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for persevere

British Dictionary definitions for persevere

persevere

/ (ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪə) /

verb

(intr often foll by in) to show perseverance
Derived Formspersevering, adjectiveperseveringly, adverb

Word Origin for persevere

C14: from Old French perseverer, from Latin persevērāre, from perseverus very strict; see severe
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

Word Origin and History for persevere

persevere

v.

mid-14c., from Old French perseverer "continue, persevere, endure" and directly from Latin perseverare "continue steadfastly, persist," from persevereus "very strict, earnest," from per- "very" (see per) + severus "strict" (see severity). Related: Persevered; persevering.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper