Perseverate

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /pɜː(ɹ)ˈsÉ›vÉ™(ɹ̩)eɪt/
• US IPA: /pɚˈsevəˌreːɪt/

Origin

Specialized word derived from persevere + -ate.

Full definition of perseverate

Verb

1. describing the behavior, generally displayed by those with various developmental disabilities, of extraordinary, exclusive and lasting obsession to a detail or occurrence others consider minor.
2. to repeat or continue a pattern.

Synonyms

• obsesses excess attention or obsession
• keep on to repeat
• harp to repeat; verb

Derived terms

• perseveration
• perseveratory