1. people who continue doing something despite difficulties or opposition
2. bacterial cells that survive antibiotic treatment by entering a dormant state
Usage: medical; microbiology

Examples

• The persisters in the group kept working on the project even after others gave up.
• She admired the persisters who continued their research despite funding cuts.
• The antibiotic failed to eliminate all bacteria because of persisters in the culture.
• Scientists study persisters to understand antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
• The persisters eventually achieved their goal through determination.
• Medical researchers are developing new strategies to target bacterial persisters.