-ance, -ancy

The state of oscillating; a seesaw kind of motion.

1. Drowsiness and dullness manifested by yawning,
2. An involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom.

1. The act of yawning.
2. The state of being drowsy or inattentive; dullness.

1. Moral faultiness, sinfulness.
2. A sin, offence, transgression.

1. Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.
2. Determined continuation with something: the steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks.
3. In theology, the Calvinistic doctrine that those who have been chosen by God will continue in a state of grace to the end and will finally be saved; while in the Roman Catholic Church, belief in God's grace and the belief that God's grace lasts to the end of somebody's life if that person has maintained his or her good works and faith.

Doggedness, steadfastness, persistence, tenacity, pertinacity

Perseverance commonly suggests activity maintained in spite of difficulties or steadfast and long-continued application: "Endurance and perseverance combined to win in the end."

It is regularly used in a favorable sense; however, persistence, which may be used in either a favorable or an unfavorable sense, implies unremitting (and sometimes annoying) perseverance: persistence in a belief; persistence in talking when others want to study.

Tenacity, with the original meaning of adhesiveness, as of glue, is a dogged and determined holding on. Whether used literally or figuratively it has favorable implications; such as, "a bulldog quality of tenacity"; "the tenacity of one's memory".

Pertinacity, unlike its related word, is used chiefly in an unfavorable sense, that of overinsistent tenacity: the pertinacity of a social climber.

Disturbance; perturbation.

1. Ill-tempered or sulky in a peevish manner (easily irritated or annoyed).
2. A reference to being unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered.
3. Descriptive of contemptuous in speech or behavior.

Weight; gravity; serious consideration: "The ponderance of suggestions made by Edward's financial advisor had to be considered seriously."

Previous acquaintance or knowledge.

1. Quality, fact, or instance of being precipitate.
2. Great haste; rashness.