1. （不喜欢的事物）继续存在
If something undesirable persists, it continues to exist.
e.g. Contact your doctor if the cough persists...
如果还是咳嗽就去看医生。
e.g. These problems persisted for much of the decade.
这些问题在那10年的大部分时间里一直存在。
2. 顽强坚持；执著
If you persist in doing something, you continue to do it, even though it is difficult or other people are against it.
e.g. Why does Britain persist in running down its defence forces?...
为什么英国要坚持消减其军事防御力量？
e.g. He urged the United States to persist with its efforts to bring about peace...
他敦促美国继续进行和平斡旋。