Per`se*ver"ance (?), n. [F.
persévérance, 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.
Whose constant perseverance overcame
Whate'er his cruel malice could invent.
Milton.
2. Discrimination. [Obs.] Sir J.
Harrington.
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.
Syn. -- Persistence; steadfastness; constancy; steadiness;
pertinacity.