persism

[Eng. Pers (ia); -ism.] A Persian idiom. per-sist', v. i. [Fr. persister, from Lat. persisto =to continue, to persist: per =through, and sis to = to make to stand (q. v.); Sp. persistir; Ital. per sistere.] I. Ordinary Language : 1. To continue steadfast, firm, and constant in the carrying out or pursuit of any design, busine or course commenced or undertaken; to persevere; to continue steadfast and determined in the face of opposition or hindrance. "They obstinately persisted in their former conceit."Til lots on: Sermons , vol. iii., ser. 191. *2. To remain; to be obstinate in continuing a state or condition. "But they persisted deaf, and would not seem To count them things worth notice." Milton: Samson Agonistes, 249. +II. Physics (of an effect ): To continue to operate after the cause producing it has ceased. [PERSISTENCE, 11.] per-sist-ençe, për-sist-en-çě, subst. [Fr. per sistance.] I. Ordinary Language: 1. The quality or state of being persistent; perseverance in a design, busine , or course undertaken. (Generally used in a bad sense.) "The love of God better can consist with the in deliberate commi ions of many sins, than with an allowed per sistence in any one." -Government of the Tongue. *2. Obstinacy, obduracy, contumacy. "Thou think'st me as far in the devil's book, as thou and Falstaff, for obduracy and persistency." --Shakesp.: Henry IV ., Pt . II ., ii. 2. II. Physics: The continuance of an effect when the cause which originated it ceases to act; as, the persistence of the motion of an object after the moving force is withdrawn; the persistence of light on the retina after the luminous body is withdrawn. per-sist-ent, adj. [Lat. persist ens, pr. par. of persisto to persist (q. v.); Fr. persist ant; Italian persistente.] I. Ord. Lang.: Persisting, inclined to persist, persevering, firm. "These have, with persistent malignity, promulgated falsehood."-C. H. Scott: The Baltic , ch. xviii. II. Bot .: Not falling off, but remaining green until the part which bears it is wholly matured. Used specially of the leaves of evergreen plants, and of calyces which remain after the corolla has fallen. *persistent-fever, s . Pathol.: A regular intermittent fever, i. e., one in which the paroxysms return at regular intervals. per-sist-ent-lý, adv . [Eng. persistent ; -ly.] In a persistent manner; perseveringly, constantly. "The North persistently violating the compact."-Pres(dent F. Pierce: Me age to Congre , Dec. 2, 1856. per-sist-ing, pr . par . & a. [PERSIST.] per-sist-Ing-ly, adv . [Eng. persisting ; -ly.] In a persisting manner; persistently, perseveringly. per-sist-ive, a. [Eng. persist; -ive.] Persist ing, persistent, persevering; steady in pursuit. "To find persistive constancy in men." Shakesp.: Troilus and Cre ida , i. 3. *per-sõlve, v . t . [Lat. persolvo .] To pay completely or thoroughly; to pay in full.