Main Entry:

per·se·vere

Pronunciation:

\ˌpər-sə-ˈvir\

Function:

intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

per·se·vered; per·se·ver·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French parseverer, from Latin perseverare, from per- through + severus severe

Date:

14th century

: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement

— per·se·ver·ing·ly adverb