persistence (n.)

1540s, "steady or firm adherence to or continuance in a state, course of action, or pursuit that has been entered upon, especially if more or less obstinate," from French persistance, from persistant "lasting, enduring, permanent," from Latin persistentem (nominative persistens), present participle of persistere (see persist). In 16c. often spelled persistance, but the classical spelling prevailed. Meaning "continuance of an effect after the cause which gave rise to it is removed" is from 1862. Related: Persistency.

also from 1540s

Entries linking to persistence

persist (v.)

"continue steadily and firmly in some state or course of action," especially in spite of opposition or remonstrance; "persevere obstinately," 1530s, from French persister (14c.), from Latin persistere "abide, continue steadfastly," from per "thoroughly" (from PIE root *per- (1) "forward," hence "through") + sistere "come to stand, cause to stand still" (from PIE *si-st-, reduplicated form of root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm"). Related: Persisted; persisting.

persistent (adj.)

1723, "enduring," at first mostly in botany, from persistence or from Latin persistentem (nominative persistens), present participle of persistere (see persist). Meaning "continuing in spite of opposition, warning, etc." is by 1830. Shakespeare used persistive. Related: Persistently.

Trends of persistence

adapted from books.google.com/ngrams/. Ngrams are probably unreliable.

More to Explore

perseverance

mid-14c., perseveraunce "will or ability to persevere, tenacity," from Old French perseverance "persistence, endurance" (12c., Modern French persévérance) and directly from Latin perseverantia "steadfastness, constancy," from perseverant- past-participle stem of perseverare "cont

perseveration

late 14c., perseveracioun "will to persevere;" early 15c., "duration, quality of persisting," from Old French perseveracion "persistence, stubbornness" (13c.) and directly from Latin perseverationem (nominative perseveratio), noun of action from past-participle stem of perseverar

perseverance

push

Transitive meaning "urge, incite, press" is by 1570s; that of "promote, advance or extend by persistence or diligent effort..." is from 1714; intransitive sense of "make one's way with force and persistence (against obstacles, etc.)" is by 1718....

scold

To use undignified vehemence or persistence in reproof or fault-finding" [OED]....

ply

"work with, practice with persistence, use or employ diligently," late 14c., shortened form of applien "join to, apply" (...

tansy

So called probably for its persistence....

determination

mid-14c., determinacioun, "decision, sentence in a suit at law, definite or authoritative judicial settlement," from Old French déterminacion "determination, settlement, definition" (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin determinationem (nominative determinatio) "conclusion, bou

continuity

early 15c., "uninterrupted connection of parts in space or time," from Old French continuité, from Latin continuitatem (nominative continuitas) "a connected series," from continuus "joining, connecting with something; following one after another," from continere (intransitive) "t

strength

Middle English strengthe, from Old English strengþu, strengð "property of being strong, bodily power, muscular force; vigor, firmness, fortitude, manhood; violence; moral resistance," from Proto-Germanic *strangitho (source also of Old High German strengida "strength"), from PIE

Share persistence

‘cite’

Page URL:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/persistence

HTML Link:

<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/persistence">Etymology of persistence by etymonline</a>

APA style:

Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of persistence. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/persistence

Chicago style:

Harper Douglas, “Etymology of persistence,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/persistence.

MLA style:

Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of persistence.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/persistence. Accessed $(datetimeMla).

IEEE style:

D. Harper. “Etymology of persistence.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/persistence (accessed $(datetime)).

updated on December 09, 2020

Remove ads >

Dictionary entries near persistence

Persian

persiflage

persimmon

Persis

persist

persistence

persistent

persnickety

person

persona

personable