per|secu|tion /pɜː r s I kjuː ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Persecution is cruel and unfair treatment of a person or group, especially because of their religious or political beliefs, or their race. □ …the persecution of minorities. □ …victims of political persecution.
per|secu|tor /pɜː r s I kjuːtə r / (persecutors ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The persecutors of a person or group treat them cruelly and unfairly, especially because of their religious or political beliefs, or their race.
per|sever|ance /pɜː r s I v I ə rəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Perseverance is the quality of continuing with something even though it is difficult.
per|severe /pɜː r s I v I ə r / (perseveres , persevering , persevered ) VERB If you persevere with something, you keep trying to do it and do not give up, even though it is difficult. □ [V ] …his ability to persevere despite obstacles and setbacks. □ [V + with ] …a school with a reputation for persevering with difficult and disruptive children. □ [V prep] She persevered in her idea despite obvious objections raised by friends. ● per|sever|ing ADJ □ He is a persevering, approachable family man.
Per|sian /pɜː r ʒ ə n/ (Persians )
1 ADJ Something that is Persian belongs or relates to the ancient kingdom of Persia, or sometimes to the modern state of Iran.
2 N‑COUNT Persians were the people who came from the ancient kingdom of Persia.
3 ADJ Persian carpets and rugs traditionally come from Iran. They are made by hand from silk or wool and usually have patterns in deep colours.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Persian is the language that is spoken in Iran, and was spoken in the ancient Persian empire.
Pe r|sian Gu lf N‑PROPER The Persian Gulf is the area of sea between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
per|sim|mon /pɜː r s I mən/ (persimmons ) N‑COUNT A persimmon is a soft, orange fruit that looks rather like a large tomato. Persimmons grow on trees in hot countries.
per|sist /pə r s I st/ (persists , persisting , persisted )
1 VERB If something undesirable persists , it continues to exist. □ [V ] Contact your doctor if the cough persists. □ [V ] These problems persisted for much of the decade.
2 VERB If you persist in doing something, you continue to do it, even though it is difficult or other people are against it. □ [V + in ] Why does Britain persist in running down its defence forces? □ [V + with/in ] He urged the United States to persist with its efforts to bring about peace. □ [V with quote] 'You haven't answered me,' she persisted. □ [V ] When I set my mind to something, I persist.
per|sis|tence /pə r s I stəns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you have persistence , you continue to do something even though it is difficult or other people are against it. □ Skill comes only with practice, patience and persistence.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The persistence of something, especially something bad, is the fact of its continuing to exist for a long time. □ [+ of ] …an expression of concern at the persistence of inflation and high interest rates.
per|sis|tent /pə r s I stənt/
1 ADJ Something that is persistent continues to exist or happen for a long time; used especially about bad or undesirable states or situations. □ His cough grew more persistent until it never stopped. □ Shoppers picked their way through puddles caused by persistent rain.
2 ADJ Someone who is persistent continues trying to do something, even though it is difficult or other people are against it. □ …a persistent critic of the government's transport policies.
per|sis|tent|ly /pə r s I stəntli/
1 ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] If something happens persistently , it happens again and again or for a long time. □ The allegations have been persistently denied by ministers.
2 ADV [ADV with v] If someone does something persistently , they do it with determination even though it is difficult or other people are against it. □ Rachel gently but persistently imposed her will upon Douglas.
per|si s|tent ve g|eta|tive sta te (persistent vegetative states ) N‑COUNT If someone is in a persistent vegetative state , they are unable to think, speak, or move because they have severe brain damage, and their condition is not likely to improve. [MEDICAL ]
per|snick|ety /pə r sn I k I ti/ ADJ If you describe someone as persnickety , you think that they pay too much attention to small, unimportant details. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He is a very rigorous man, very persnickety. in BRIT, use pernickety
per|son ◆◆◆ /pɜː r s ə n/ (people , persons ) The usual word for 'more than one person' is people . The form persons is used as the plural in formal or legal language. 1 N‑COUNT A person is a man, woman, or child. □ At least one person died and several others were injured. □ Everyone knows he's the only person who can do the job. □ The amount of sleep we need varies from person to person.
2 N‑PLURAL Persons is used as the plural of person in formal, legal, and technical writing. □ …removal of the right of accused persons to remain silent.
3 N‑COUNT If you talk about someone as a person , you are considering them from the point of view of their real nature. □ Robin didn't feel good about herself as a person.
4 N‑COUNT If someone says, for example, ' I'm an outdoor person ' or ' I'm not a coffee person ', they are saying whether or not they like that particular activity or thing. [mainly SPOKEN ] □ I am not a country person at all. I prefer the cities.