persist
     v 1: continue to exist; "These stories die hard"; "The legend of
          Elvis endures" [syn: {prevail}, {die hard}, {run}, {endure}]
     2: be persistent, refuse to stop; "he persisted to call me
        every night"; "The child persisted and kept asking
        questions" [syn: {persevere}, {hang in}, {hang on}, {hold
        on}]
     3: stay behind; "The smell stayed in the room"; "The hostility
        remained long after they made up" [syn: {remain}, {stay}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0