Persistent, a.
Etymology: [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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for persistent; he lists it under obstinate, permanent.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
obstinatepermanentabidingchangelessconstantcontumaciousdecideddetermineddoggeddurableenduringfirmfixedheadstrongheadyimmovableimmutableindomitableinflexibleintractableinvariablelastingmulishobdurateopinionatedperpetualpertinaciousrefractoryresoluteresolvedstablesteadfaststubbornunchangeableunchangingunconquerableunflinchingunyielding