The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Perseverance \Per`se*ver"ance\ (p[~e]r`s[-e]*v[=e]r"ans), 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.
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            Whose constant perseverance overcame
            Whate'er his cruel malice could invent. --Milton.
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   2. Discrimination. [Obs.] --Sir J. Harrington.
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   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.
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   Syn: Persistence; steadfastness; constancy; steadiness;
        pertinacity.
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