Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Perseverance \Per`se*ver"ance\, n. [F. pers['e]v['e]rance, 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.

Source : WordNet®

perseverance
     n 1: persistent determination [syn: {doggedness}, {persistence},
          {persistency}, {tenacity}, {tenaciousness}, {pertinacity}]
     2: the act of persisting or persevering; continuing or
        repeating behavior; "his perseveration continued to the
        point where it was no longer appropriate" [syn: {persistence},
         {perseveration}]