prosecute
[ pros-i-kyoot ]
/ ˈprɒs ɪˌkyut /
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verb (used with object), pros·e·cut·ed, pros·e·cut·ing.
Law.
- to institute legal proceedings against (a person).
- to seek to enforce or obtain by legal process.
- to conduct criminal proceedings in court against.
to follow up or carry forward something undertaken or begun, usually to its completion: to prosecute a war.
to carry on or practice.
verb (used without object), pros·e·cut·ed, pros·e·cut·ing.
Law.
- to institute and carry on a legal prosecution.
- to act as prosecutor.
OTHER WORDS FOR prosecute
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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Origin of prosecute
1400–50; late Middle English prosecuten to follow up, go on with <Latin prōsecūtus, past participle of prōsequī to pursue, proceed with, equivalent to prō-pro-1 + secū-, variant stem of sequī to follow + -tus past participle suffix
OTHER WORDS FROM prosecute
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH prosecute
persecute, prosecuteDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use prosecute in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for prosecute
prosecute
/ (ˈprɒsɪˌkjuːt) /
verb
(tr) to bring a criminal action against (a person) for some offence
(intr)
- to seek redress by legal proceedings
- to institute or conduct a prosecution
(tr) to engage in or practise (a profession or trade)
(tr) to continue to do (a task, etc)
Derived forms of prosecute
prosecutable, adjectiveWord Origin for prosecute
C15: from Latin prōsequī to follow, from prō- forward + sequī to follow
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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