Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Insist?

\In*sist"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Insisted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Insisting}.] [F. insister, L. insistere to set foot upon, follow, persist; pref. in- in + sistere to stand, cause to stand. See {Stand}.] 1. To stand or rest; to find support; -- with in, on, or upon. [R.] --Ray. 2. To take a stand and refuse to give way; to hold to something firmly or determinedly; to be persistent, urgent, or pressing; to persist in demanding; -- followed by on, upon, or that; as, he insisted on these conditions; he insisted on going at once; he insists that he must have money. Insisting on the old prerogative. --Shak. Without further insisting on the different tempers of Juvenal and Horace. --Dryden. Syn: {Insist}, {Persist}. Usage: Insist implies some alleged right, as authority or claim. Persist may be from obstinacy alone, and either with or against rights. We insist as against others; we persist in what exclusively relates to ourselves; as, he persisted in that course; he insisted on his friend's adopting it. --C. J. Smith.