Persicot
(Per"si*cot) n. [F. See Peach.] A cordial made of the kernels of apricots, nectarines, etc.,
with refined spirit.
Persiflage
(||Per`si`flage") n. [F., fr. persifler to quiz, fr. L. per + siffler to whistle, hiss, L. sibilare,
sifilare.] Frivolous or bantering talk; a frivolous manner of treating any subject, whether serious or otherwise; light
raillery. Hannah More.
Persifleur
(||Per`si`fleur) n. [F.] One who indulges in persiflage; a banterer; a quiz. Carlyle.
Persimmon
(Per*sim"mon) n. [Virginia Indian.] (Bot.) An American tree (Diospyros Virginiana) and
its fruit, found from New York southward. The fruit is like a plum in appearance, but is very harsh and
astringent until it has been exposed to frost, when it becomes palatable and nutritious.
Japanese persimmon, Diospyros Kaki and its red or yellow edible fruit, which outwardly resembles a
tomato, but contains a few large seeds.
Persis
(Per"sis) n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A kind of coloring matter obtained from lichens.
Persism
(Per"sism) n. A Persian idiom.
Persist
(Per*sist") v. i. [imp. & p. p. Persisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Persisting.] [L. persistere; per + sistere
to stand or be fixed, fr. stare to stand: cf. F. persister. See Per-, and Stand.] To stand firm; to be
fixed and unmoved; to stay; to continue steadfastly; especially, to continue fixed in a course of conduct
against opposing motives; to persevere; - - sometimes conveying an unfavorable notion, as of doggedness
or obstinacy.
If they persist in pointing their batteries against particular persons, no laws of war forbid the making
reprisals.
Addison.
Some positive, persisting fops we know,
Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so.
Pope.
That face persists.
It floats up; it turns over in my mind.
Mrs. Browning. Syn. — See Persevere, and Insist.
