Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PER'SIST, v.i. [L. persisto; per and sisto, to stand or be fixed.]

To continue steadily and firmly in the pursuit of any business or course commenced; to persevere. [Persist is nearly synonymous with persevere; but persist frequently implies more obstinacy than persevere, particularly in that which is evil or injurious to others.] If they persist in pointing their batteries against particular persons, no laws of war forbid the making reprisals. – Addison.