perseveration

1. The constant repetition of a meaningless word or phrase. 2. The duration of a mental impression, measured by the rapidity with which one impression follows another as determined by the revolving of a two-colored disk. 3. In clinical psychology, the uncontrollable repetition of a previously appropriate or correct response, even though the repeated response has since become inappropriate or incorrect. [L. persevero, to persist]

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per·sev·er·a·tion pər-.sev-ə-'rā-shən n continual involuntary repetition of a mental act usu. exhibited by speech or by some other form of overt behavior

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n.

1. excessive persistence at a task that prevents the individual from turning his attention to new situations. It is a symptom of organic disease of the brain and sometimes of obsessional neurosis.

2. the phenomenon in which an image continues to be perceived briefly in the absence of the object. This is a potentially serious neurological disorder.

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per·sev·er·a·tion (pər-sev″ər-aґshən) the inappropriate persistence or repetition of a thought or act after the causative stimulus has ceased or in response to different stimuli, e.g., answering a question correctly and then inappropriately repeating that answer to succeeding questions; most often associated with brain lesions but also seen in schizophrenia.