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in·sist

(ĭn-sĭst)

v. in·sist·ed, in·sist·ing, in·sists

v.intr.

To be resolute or firm in a demand or course: I insist on paying my share of the expenses.

v.tr.

To assert or demand (something) firmly or persistently: We insist that you stay for dinner.

[Latin īnsistere, to persist : in-, on; see IN-² + sistere, to stand; see stā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

in·sistence, in·sisten·cy n.

in·sister n.

in·sisting·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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