from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Perseverance \Per`se*ver"ance\ (p[~e]r`s[-e]*v[=e]r"ans), n. [F.
pers['e]v['e]rance, 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]