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Webster 1913 Edition

Persevere

Perˊse-vere′

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Persevered
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Persevering
.]
[F.
persévérer
, L.
perseverare
, fr.
perseverus
very strict;
per + severus
strict, severe. See
Per-
, and
Severe
.]
To persist in any business or enterprise undertaken; to pursue steadily any project or course begun; to maintain a purpose in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement; not to give or abandon what is undertaken.
Thrice happy, if they know
Their happiness, and
persevere
upright.
Milton.
Syn. – To
Persevere
,
Continue
,
Persist
.
The idea of not laying aside is common to these words. Continue is the generic term, denoting simply to do as one has done hitherto. To persevere is to continue in a given course in spite of discouragements, etc., from a desire to obtain our end. To persist is to continue from a determination of will not to give up. Persist is frequently used in a bad sense, implying obstinacy in pursuing an unworthy aim.

Webster 1828 Edition

Persevere

PERSEVE'RE

,
Verb.
I.
[L.persevero. The last component part of this word, severo,must be the same as in assevero, with the radical sense of set, fixed or continued. So persist is formed with per and sisto, to stand. Constant and continue have a like primary sense. So we say, to hold on.]
To persist in any business or enterprise undertaken; to pursue steadily any design or course commenced; not to give over or abandon what is undertaken; applied alike to good and evil.
Thrice happy, if they know
Their happiness, and persevere upright!
To persevere in any evil course, makes you unhappy in this life.

Definition 2024

persevere

persevere

English

Alternative forms

Verb

persevere ‎(third-person singular simple present perseveres, present participle persevering, simple past and past participle persevered)

  1. 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, scene 5:
      I will persevere in
      my course of loyalty, though the conflict be sore
      between 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.
    • c. 1918, P. G. Wodehouse, "The Agonies of Writing a Musical Comedy":
      He is a trifle discouraged, but he perseveres.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:persevere

Related terms

Translations

Portuguese

Verb

persevere

  1. first-person singular (eu) present subjunctive of perseverar
  2. third-person singular (ele and ela, also used with você and others) present subjunctive of perseverar
  3. third-person singular (você) affirmative imperative of perseverar
  4. third-person singular (você) negative imperative of perseverar

Spanish

Verb

persevere

  1. Formal second-person singular (usted) imperative form of perseverar.
  2. First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of perseverar.
  3. Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of perseverar.
  4. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted?) present subjunctive form of perseverar.

Etymology

From Old French perseverer, from Latin perseverare ‎(“to continue steadfastly, persist, persevere”), from perseverus ‎(“very strict or earnest”), from per ‎(“through, by the means of”) + severus ‎(“strict, earnest”).

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -ɪə(ɹ)

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