persever

n. [ F. persévérance, L. perseverantia. ] 1. The act of persevering; persistence in anything undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun. “The king-becoming graces . . . perseverance, mercy, lowliness.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whose constant perseverance overcame
Whate'er his cruel malice could invent. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Discrimination. [ Obs. ] Sir J. Harrington. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Theol.) Continuance in a state of grace until it is succeeded by a state of glory; sometimes called final perseverance, and the perseverance of the saints. See Calvinism. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Persistence; steadfastness; constancy; steadiness; pertinacity. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. perseverans, -antis, p. pr.: cf. F. persévérant. ] Persevering. [ R. ] “Perseverant faith.” Whitby. -- Per`se*ver"ant*ly, adv. [R.] [1913 Webster]

v. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thrice happy, if they know
Their happiness, and persevere upright. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]