prosecute

[ pros-i-kyoot ]
/ ˈprɒs ɪˌkyut /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR prosecute ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), pros·e·cut·ed, pros·e·cut·ing.

Law.
  1. to institute legal proceedings against (a person).
  2. to seek to enforce or obtain by legal process.
  3. 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.
  1. to institute and carry on a legal prosecution.
  2. to act as prosecutor.

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 prosecute

Words nearby prosecute

prose poem, prosecco, prosecretin, prosect, prosector, prosecute, prosecuting attorney, prosecution, prosecutor, prosecutorial, prosecutory

Words related to prosecute

sue, litigate, summon, try, indict, arraign, pursue, execute, conduct, do, contest, wage, manage, perform, practice, direct, continue, persist, discharge, law

Example sentences from the Web for prosecute

  • Prosecute the boy, and you put him in prison, and spend more money; you get none back.

    The New Mistress |George Manville Fenn

  • Prosecute him, and you may promise yourself to be blown up at every gaming-house in the town.

    The World's Greatest Books, Vol IV. |Editors: Arthur Mee and J.A. Hammerton

British Dictionary definitions for prosecute

prosecute
/ (ˈprɒsɪˌkjuːt) /

verb

(tr) to bring a criminal action against (a person) for some offence
(intr)
  1. to seek redress by legal proceedings
  2. 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, adjective

Word Origin for prosecute

C15: from Latin prōsequī to follow, from prō- forward + sequī to follow