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.
© Webster 1913. | 
