persistent English · revision 15262

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1723|origins=la sistō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pəˈsɪstənt/ ''(UK)''; /pɚˈsɪstənt/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|persistēns]] (stem persistent-), the present participle of [[m|la|persistō|t=to continue steadfastly]] (see [[persist]]),^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) or formed from [[persistence]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Enduring, at first mostly in botany: 1723 in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates the botanical sense, lasting past maturity without falling off, to 1785,^(MWU 2024) and the OED's first quotation for this zoological and botanical sense is from 1826.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Continuing firmly in a course of action in spite of opposition is by 1830,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and existing continuously, enduring, from 1853.^(OED 1989) Shakespeare had used ''persistive''.^(Etymonline) 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).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1723 – enduring (botany).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1830 – persevering despite opposition.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1853 – existing continuously.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1972 – persistent vegetative state.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Refusing to give up; [[persevere|alt=persevering]] [[obstinate|alt=obstinately]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Repeated or continuing without let-up: ''persistent questioning''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Lasting for a long time in the same state; [[enduring]].^(AHD)

+ # ''(botany)'' Remaining attached after the normal time of withering, as a [[calyx]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[persistently]]

+ * [[nonpersistent]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[persist]]

+ * [[persistence]]

+ * [[persistency]]

+ * [[insist]]

+ * [[resist]]

+ * [[consist]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}