insistent
UK[ɪnˈsɪstənt]US[ɪnˈsɪstənt]
adj
continuing to make a strong, firm demand or statement in a way that is not easy to ignore
adj
continuous and demanding to be noticed or dealt with
Morpheme Breakdown
in
sist
ent
in
on, upon
sist
stand
ent
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'insistent' originates from the Latin verb insistere, which is a compound of the prefix in- ('upon') and the verb sistere ('to stand'). The core meaning was literally 'to stand upon', which evolved figuratively to mean 'to persist in, to dwell upon, or to press a point'. The present participle form, insistens, gave rise to the English adjective via French. The modern sense of 'demanding attention or compliance' retains the original notion of taking a firm, unwavering stand on a matter.
Analysis
Structure: in (on, upon) + sist (stand) + ent (adjective suffix)
in- (Latin prefix meaning 'on, upon, in'), -sist- (from Latin verb sistere, meaning 'to stand, to take a stand'), -ent (Latin suffix forming adjectives, meaning 'being in a state or condition')
Examples
he was insistent that we should leave immediately.
the insistent ringing of the phone finally made her answer it.
she has an insistent belief in the power of education.