PROSECUTE

prosecute, engage, pursue

(verb) carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in; “She pursued many activities”; “They engaged in a discussion”

prosecute

(verb) bring a criminal action against (in a trial); “The State of California prosecuted O.J. Simpson”

prosecute

(verb) conduct a prosecution in a court of law

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

prosecute (third-person singular simple present prosecutes, present participle prosecuting, simple past and past participle prosecuted)

(transitive, legal) To start criminal proceedings against.

(transitive, legal) To charge, try.

To seek to obtain by legal process.

(transitive) To pursue something to the end.

Anagrams

• creeps out, outcreeps

Source: Wiktionary


Pros"e*cute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prosecuted; p. pr. & vb. n. Prosecuting.] Etym: [L. prosecutus, p. p. of prosequi to follow, pursue. See Pursue.]

1. To follow or pursue with a view to reach, execute, or accomplish; to endeavor to obtain or complete; to carry on; to continue; as, to prosecute a scheme, hope, or claim. I am beloved Hermia; Why should not I, then, prosecute my right Shak.

2. To seek to obtain by legal process; as, to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law.

3. (Law)

Definition: To pursue with the intention of punishing; to accuse of some crime or breach of law, or to pursue for redress or punishment, before a legal tribunal; to proceed against judicially; as, to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot. To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes. Milton.

Pros"e*cute, v. i.

1. To follow after. [Obs.] Latimer.

2. (Law)

Definition: To institute and carry on a legal prosecution; as, to prosecute for public offenses. Blackstone.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

1 March 2025

AROMATIC

(adjective) (chemistry) of or relating to or containing one or more benzene rings; “an aromatic organic compound”


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Coffee Trivia

In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed coffee stimulated radical thinking and outlawed the drink. In 1524, the leaders overturned that order, and people could drink coffee again.

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