Part 206

Mrs. Browning.

Syn. -- See Persevere, and Insist.

{ Per*sist"ence (?), Per*sist"en*cy (?), } n. [See Persistent.] 1. The quality or state of being persistent; staying or continuing quality; hence, in an unfavorable sense, doggedness; obstinacy.

2. The continuance of an effect after the cause which first gave rise to it is removed; as: (a) (Physics) The persistence of motion. (b) (Physiol.) Visual persistence, or persistence of the visual impression; auditory persistence, etc.

Per*sist"ent (?), a. [L. persistens, -entis, p. pr. of persistere. See Persist.] 1. Inclined to persist; having staying qualities; tenacious of position or purpose.

2. (Biol.) Remaining beyond the period when parts of the same kind sometimes fall off or are absorbed; permanent; as, persistent teeth or gills; a persistent calyx; -- opposed to deciduous, and caducous.

Per*sist"ent*ly, adv. In a persistent manner.

Per*sist"ing, a. Inclined to persist; tenacious of purpose; persistent. -- Per*sist"ing*ly, adv.

Per*sist"ive (?), a. See Persistent. Shak.

Per*solve" (?), v. t. [L. persolvere.] To pay wholly, or fully. [Obs.] E. Hall.

Per"son (?), n. [OE. persone, persoun, person, parson, OF. persone, F. personne, L. persona a mask (used by actors), a personage, part, a person, fr. personare to sound through; per + sonare to sound. See Per-, and cf. Parson.] 1. A character or part, as in a play; a specific kind or manifestation of individual character, whether in real life, or in literary or dramatic representation; an assumed character. [Archaic]

His first appearance upon the stage in his new person of a sycophant or juggler.

Bacon.

No man can long put on a person and act a part.

Jer. Taylor.

To bear rule, which was thy part And person, hadst thou known thyself aright.

Milton.

How different is the same man from himself, as he sustains the person of a magistrate and that of a friend!

South.

2. The bodily form of a human being; body; outward appearance; as, of comely person.

A fair persone, and strong, and young of age.

Chaucer.

If it assume my noble father's person.

Shak.

Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined.

Milton.

3. A living, self-conscious being, as distinct from an animal or a thing; a moral agent; a human being; a man, woman, or child.

Consider what person stands for; which, I think, is a thinking, intelligent being, that has reason and reflection.