Perseverance
Pronunciation : Per`se*ver"ance
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. pers?v?rance, L. perseverantia.]
Definition : 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. Whose constant perseverance overcame Whate'er his cruel malice could invent. Milton.
2. Discrimination. [Obs.] Sir J. Harrington.
3. (Theol.)
Defn: 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.
Syn. -- Persistence; steadfastness; constancy; steadiness; pertinacity.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913