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persistent

persistent

1 7.5
Staying attached to a plant or mushroom part after it normally falls off
  • adjective
  • /pərˈsɪstənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : persistente
  • The mushroom species is known for its persistent caps, which can last through winter before finally decaying.

Examples

  • They get beautiful red berries, which are persistent, which means they hang on.

  • Some shrubs have persistent gills that stay attached even after the bulk of the foliage has shed.

  • So if you can find fruiting trees that say persistent, those are the best ones to plant.

  • Illustration shows the persistent cord of thymic tissue and the areas where a cyst might develop.

    Academic text (2010)
  • The characterization of blackgum as persistent and resistant (Batista and Platt 2003) seems to apply throughout its range.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The leaves of the oak tree are persistent and remain for many months before falling in autumn.

Synonyms

permanent
vspersistent
650 3.2

Continuing for a long time and unlikely to change

means they stay attached past usual shedding but not necessarily forever
lasting
vspersistent
38 3.1

Continuing to be present or useful for a long time

applies specifically to parts staying attached past the normal shedding time
long-lasting
vspersistent
27 3.7

To stay the same or work well for a long time

describes parts that stay attached beyond the normal shedding moment
evergreen
vspersistent
11 2.7

Having green leaves all year

remains attached beyond usual shedding time rather than year-round retention
enduring
vspersistent
1 4.2

Continuing for a long time without fading

refers to parts that keep attached past their usual shedding period

Antonyms

caducous
  • Specialized
9.9

To fall off early, like leaves or gills on young plants and animals

How Long

evergreen
9 2.7
persistent
  • Specialized
1 7.5
deciduous
5 6.1
short-lived
49 3.9

Surface Forms

persistent positive
persistently positive

Morphology

persistent = persist (semi-transparent) = persist + ent

Botanical sense 'remaining attached beyond usual time' is a domain-specific extension of 'persist' that may be less obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Persistent comes from the Latin persistēre, from per- 'through' and sistere 'to stand'. Think of leaves that keep 'standing' on a plant beyond the usual time, just like the English word stand, so persistent parts stay attached longer.