See Also: persecute(dictionary)
persecute(dictionary)

persecute (iou)



persecute verb trans. ME.
[Old & mod. French persecuter back-form. from persecuteur PERSECUTOR.]
Pursue or hunt with intent to catch, injure, or kill; fig. follow up or pursue (a subject etc.). ME-L17.
Dryden With Balearick Slings or Gnossian Bow, To persecute from far the flying Doe.
(Seek out and) subject to hostility or ill treatment, esp. on the grounds of political, religious, or other beliefs regarded as unacceptable; oppress. L15.
G. Greene The Roman Catholic Syrians are claiming they are a persecuted minority. A. Brink For the state to persecute and try to break a man. Rosemary Manning Lesbians were not actively persecuted when I was a young woman.
Prosecute (a person) at law. obsolete exc. dial. L15.
Harass, trouble; annoy persistently. M16.
G. Meredith Your persecuting me to become your wife. I. Murdoch I'm being persecuted by the most frightful man.
persecu'tee noun a person who is persecuted L19.
persecutive adjective (rare) of a persecuting nature; given to persecution: M17.