Main Entry: per·sev·er·a·tion

Pronunciation: \pər-ˌse-və-ˈrā-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin perseveration-, perseveratio, from perseverare

Date: 1910

: continuation of something (as repetition of a word) usually to an exceptional degree or beyond a desired point

— per·sev·er·ate \-ˈse-və-ˌrāt\ intransitive verb

— per·sev·er·a·tive \-ˌrā-tiv\ adjective