Persevere
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ɪə(ɹ)
Alternative forms
Origin
From French persévérer, from Latin perseverare ("to continue steadfastly, persist, persevere"), from perseverus ("very strict or earnest"), from per ("through") + severus ("strict, earnest").
Full definition of persevere
Verb
- To persist steadfastly in pursuit of an undertaking, task, journey, or goal, even if hindered by distraction, difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement.
- 1606, William Shakespeare, King Lear, act 3, sc. 5:I will persevere inmy course of loyalty, though the conflict be sorebetween that and my blood.
- 1817, Jane Austen, Persuasion, ch. 1:Sir Walter had sought the acquaintance, and though his overtures had not been met with any warmth, he had persevered in seeking it.
- circa 1918 P. G. Wodehouse, "The Agonies of Writing a Musical Comedy":He is a trifle discouraged, but he perseveres.