per·sis·tent
adj 1 : existing or continuing for a long time: as a : effective in the open for an appreciable time usu. through slow volatilizing <mustard gas is > b : degraded only slowly by the environment < pesticides> c : remaining infective for a relatively long time in a vector after an initial period of incubation < viruses> 2 : continuing to exist despite interference or treatment <a cough> .
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