pursuit

[ per-soot ]

noun

1. the act of pursuing:

   in pursuit of the fox.

   Synonyms: hunt, chase

2. an effort to secure or attain; quest:

   the pursuit of happiness.

   Synonyms: search

3. any occupation, pastime, or the like, in which a person is engaged regularly or customarily:

   literary pursuits.

   Synonyms: inclination, preoccupation, activity

pursuit

/ pəˈsjuːt /

noun

1. 1. the act of pursuing, chasing, or striving after
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pursuit plane

2. an occupation, hobby, or pastime
3. (in cycling) a race in which the riders set off at intervals along the track and attempt to overtake each other

Word History and Origins

Origin of pursuit¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French purseute, from Vulgar Latin prōsequita (unrecorded), from Latin prōsecūta, feminine of prōsecūtus “followed,” past participle of prōsequī “to follow, continue”; pursue

Word History and Origins

Origin of pursuit¹

C14: from Old French poursieute, from poursivre to prosecute, pursue

Example Sentences

When I tried to persuade him to drop the title The Short Night, I proposed calling the picture Pursuit.

From The Daily Beast

Yet, in pursuit of that ‘great revival of art,’ his anxiety, depression, and overall health began to deteriorate.

From The Daily Beast

Was it Shakespeare, in mad pursuit of a lovely boy and that voluptuous Dark Lady?

From The Daily Beast

The cops suspended the high-speed pursuit lest some innocent be killed.

From The Daily Beast

They say The Guardian has been dragging its feet on the pursuit of NSA-related stories while keeping the Times on a short leash.

From The Daily Beast

Now this is what we call a "pursuit of knowledge under difficulties" of the most obstinate kind.

From Project Gutenberg

About an hour after resuming their walk, the major went off in hot pursuit of an enormous bee, which he saw humming round a bush.

From Project Gutenberg

Only in the pursuit of agriculture can the black man not complain that he is discriminated against on account of his color.

From Project Gutenberg

Colonel Guitar concluded to rest his men until morning, and then continue the pursuit.

From Project Gutenberg

The cheerful hours of easy labor vary but do not destroy the pursuit of pleasure and of recreation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accomplishment
• activity
• career
• occupation
• undertaking