Obstinate continuation of characteristic behavior, or of existence in spite of treatment or adverse environmental conditions. [L. persisto, to abide, stand firm]
- lactase p. an inherited trait (autosomal dominant) in which the levels of lactase do not decline after weaning. Cf.:lactase restriction.
- microbial p. the phenomenon of survival, in high concentration of an antimicrobial substance, of microbes that seem not to be resistant variants (mutants) since their progeny are fully susceptible.
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per·sis·tence (pər-sisґtəns) continuation of a behavior or characteristic at a time when it would normally be expected to have disappeared.Medical dictionary. 2011.