Etymologically
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persistent

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 15:54. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /pəˈsɪstənt/ (UK); /pɚˈsɪstənt/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin persistēns (stem persistent-), the present participle of persistō (“to continue steadfastly”) (see persist),[2][3] or formed from persistence.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Enduring, at first mostly in botany: 1723 in Etymonline;[2] Merriam-Webster dates the botanical sense, lasting past maturity without falling off, to 1785,[3] and the OED's first quotation for this zoological and botanical sense is from 1826.[4]

Semantic evolution

Continuing firmly in a course of action in spite of opposition is by 1830,[2][4] and existing continuously, enduring, from 1853.[4] Shakespeare had used persistive.[2] Later technical uses include a substance that remains in the environment for a long time (from 1952) and, in medicine, persistent vegetative state (from 1972).[4]

Timeline

  • 1723 – enduring (botany).[2]
  • 1830 – persevering despite opposition.[4][2]
  • 1853 – existing continuously.[4]
  • 1972 – persistent vegetative state.[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Refusing to give up; persevering obstinately.
  2. Repeated or continuing without let-up: persistent questioning.
  3. Lasting for a long time in the same state; enduring.
  4. (botany) Remaining attached after the normal time of withering, as a calyx.

Word family

  • persistently
  • nonpersistent

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press