1. (n.) Persistence under harsh conditions\; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun.

2. (n.) Discrimination.

3. (n.) 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.

acceptance assiduity balkiness bigotry bullheadedness commitment continualness continuance continuation continuity decidedness decision decisiveness dedication definiteness determinateness determination determinedness devotion diligence doggedness dogmatism earnestness endurance extension fanaticism firmness fixed mind forbearance forbearing forbearingness fortitude grit guts hardheadedness headstrongness indefatigability indulgence inflexibility inflexible will intolerance lengthening lenience leniency long-sufferance long-suffering longanimity maintenance mulishness obduracy obdurateness obstinacy obstinateness opinionatedness overzealousness patience patience of Job patientness perpetuation persistence pertinacity pigheadedness pluck progress progression prolongation protraction purpose purposefulness pursuance relentlessness repetition resoluteness resolution resolve resolvedness restiveness run sedulousness self-control self-will seriousness sincerity single-mindedness stamina staying power steadfastness stiff neck stiff-neckedness stoicism straight course strongheadness stubbornness sufferance sulkiness sullenness sustained action sustenance sweet reasonableness tenaciousness tenacity tirelessness tolerance toleration total commitment uncooperativeness uninterrupted course unregenerateness unremittingness waiting game waiting it out way will willfulness