Dictionary
per•sist
Pronunciation: (pur-sist', -zist'), [key]—
v.i.
1. to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, esp. in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc.:
to persist in working for world peace; to persist in unpopular political activities.
2. to last or endure tenaciously:
The legend of King Arthur has persisted for nearly fifteen centuries.
3. to be insistent in a statement, request, question, etc.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.