Persevere
/ˌpɜːr.sɪˈvɪər/noun
To continue firmly despite difficulty, delay, or opposition.
Did you know?Persevere entered English through Anglo-French and ultimately comes from Latin perseverāre, a verb associated with remaining steadfast, serious, and unshaken rather than giving in.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“Forward, through, or across; a root associated with movement and passage.”
Classical Latin
Latin
per-
“Through, thoroughly, or completely; an intensifying prefix.”
Classical Latin
Latin
severus
“Strict, serious, stern, or severe.”
Classical Latin
Latin
perseverāre
“To persist firmly or remain steadfast.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
perseverer
“To persist or continue resolutely.”
14th Century
Middle English
perseveren
“To continue steadfastly despite difficulty.”
Modern English
English
persevere
“To continue with determination despite obstacles.”
Explore more surprising origins