persist

 
Pronunciation: /pəˈsɪst/

verb

[no object]
  • continue in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition: the minority of drivers who persist in drinking we are persisting with policies that will create jobs for the future
  • continue to exist; be prolonged: if the symptoms persist for more than a few days, then contact your doctor

Origin:

mid 16th century: from Latin persistere, from per- 'through, steadfastly' + sistere 'to stand'