Lewis & Short

persĕvērantĭa, ae, f. [persevero],

  1. I. steadfastness, constancy, perseverance (syn. pertinacia): perseverantia est in ratione bene consideratā stabilis et perpetua permansio, Cic. Inv. 2, 54, 164; id. Phil. 7, 5, 14: disputandum est, aliud an idem sit pertinacia et perseverantia, id. Part. Or. 19, 65: nautarum, Caes. B. C. 3, 26; Vulg. 2 Macc. 14, 38.
  2. II. Transf., objectively, long continuance, tediousness: belli, Just. 3, 4, 4.