| 释义 |
pursuitn. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French purseute, poursieute. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman purseute, pursieute, pursuit, pursuite, pursute and Middle French poursieute, poursuite, poursuitte, poursuyte, pursieute (French poursuite ) action of bringing a legal proceeding, also legal action taken against a person, lawsuit (mid 13th cent. in Old French), action of striving for something, endeavour, effort (second half of the 13th cent.), action of chasing (a person or animal), especially with intent to overtake and capture, harm, or kill (first half of the 14th cent., originally with reference to an escaped domestic animal), action of proceeding with something already begun, action of following up a matter (first half of the 14th cent. or earlier), action of proceeding in accordance with a plan (first half of the 14th cent. in Anglo-Norman), wooing of a girl or woman (c1400), assault, attack (first half of the 15th cent. or earlier), search (first half of the 15th cent. or earlier), use as noun of feminine past participle of poursivre , poursuivre , pursivre , etc. pursue v., after seute , siute , suite , sute , etc. suit n. Compare pursuing n. and (especially with the legal senses) later prosecution n.With the α. forms compare γ. forms at pursue v. and discussion at that entry; compare also (both rare) Old French parsieute , Middle French parsuite legal action (early 14th cent.), action of following up a matter (late 15th cent.). With sense 6c compare French poursuite (1919 in this sense; 1895 or earlier in course-poursuite ). In pursuit flight n. after German Reihen (E. Christoleit 1929, in Beiträge zur Fortpflanzungsbiologie der Vögel 5 45; < reihen (of animals, especially aquatic birds) to copulate, to mate (15th cent.), of uncertain origin). I. Senses not principally involving physical movement. 1. society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [noun] > a lawsuit 1380 in W. Fraser (1885) III. 28 Me and myn ayres..haue releissit..al my rycht clayme persuit chalenge or askyng..to fourty markis worth of land. 1410 in (1939) 14 24 (MED) Althow that Archibaud, Erl of Douglas..for som..nedes touchyng his estat..at his greet instance and pursuyte yn conservaccion of hys estat, were licenced to goo in to Scotland, [etc.]. 1414 IV. 57/1 To graunte me, durynge my pursuyte..to walken at large. 1432 IV. 418/2 Robert Holme..by the space of vii yere and more, in pursuynge for the gode and profitees of oure Soveraign Lord the Kyng..in this lond hath taryed and abyden, in leyng for the saide pursuyt his godes and Jewelles to weolde, to his undoyng. 1512 c. 14 Preamble To have made pursuete of their severall atteynders to be reversed. 1575 in (1872) 419/1 The lang trubill..the laird of Lekky hes sustinet be the persewt of the Erll of Menteithe. 1655 T. Fuller iii. 83 That pursuit for Tythes ought, and of ancient time did pertain to the Spiritual Court. 1678 G. Mackenzie i. 176 Such a Criminal pursuit, as was intented. 1737 (ed. 33) ii. ii. iv. 375 The Lord Advocate..concurs in all Pursuits before Sovereign Courts for Breaches of the Peace. 1740 at Custom Prescription is an Exception founded on so long a Time past as the Law limits it for the Pursuit of any Action of Prosecution. 1754 J. Erskine II. iii. vii. §15 Neither can prescription run against persons who are already in possession, and so can gain nothing by a pursuit. a1859 J. Austin (1879) I. xvii. 417 It is often thought expedient to convert the offence into a crime. That is to say the pursuit of it is not left to the discretion of the injured party. 1910 n.s. 58 472 If such pursuit should result in recovering back the land, then they were bound to account for that as a substitute for the money and subject to the same trusts. 1946 22 Oct. 2/5 His..submission was that those words were not sufficient to justify the institution and pursuit of a prosecution. 1996 143 1091 The director may feel..that pursuit of the action would not be in the best interests of the corporation. the mind > language > speech > request > [noun] > earnest request or entreaty > beseeching or importuning a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iv. 28 (MED) I thoghte mi poursuite To make, and therto sette a day To speke unto the swete May. ?1406 T. Hoccleve La Mâle Règle 426 in E. P. Hammond (1927) 66/1 I kepte nat to be seen inportune In my pursuyte; I am ther to ful looth. 1455 (1904) III. 58 The seyd Fastolf, after long pursewts made to the Kyng and his conseill, was recompensed but to the value of ml. vj c saluz in lands in Normandye. 1503–4 c. 28 Preamble Meny persones..made instaunte & diligente pursuyte..to his Highnesse. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in i. f. cccxxxiiiiv For that she is so worthy thou shuldest not clymbe so highe, for thy moebles and thyne estate arne voyded, thou thynkest fallen in suche myserie, that gladnesse of thy pursute wol nat on the discende. 1602 J. Marston iii. i. sig. E4 Thy Mellida, is chaste; Onely to frustrate thy pursuite in loue, Is blaz'd vnchaste. 1698 C. Trotter iii. ii. 30 Tis wise in one who sees her self abandon'd To mourn in silence: Pursuits, Reproaches, or Complaints, May lose her Fame, but ne'er retrieve the Lover. 1701 J. Swift iv. 45 When a Lover becomes satisfied by small Compliances, without further Pursuits; then expect to find Popular Assemblies content with small Concessions. 1718 in (1986) Mar. 19/1 And there is yet a third Branch of the Comparison, in that Pursuit, and constant Application the Infant makes to the Mother, in the same manner as Patroclus follows Achilles with his Grief. 1747 tr. A. de Castillo Solórzano i. 26 Your repeated Importunities have forced her to deliver herself from a vexatious Passion, by disclosing it to me, with more Modesty than you shew'd in your Pursuit. the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > persecution the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being harassed > [noun] > harassment a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 355 (MED) Frixus and his suster, Elles, flyȝe þe malice and þe pursute of here stepdame [L. fugientes insidias novercales]. 1425 IV. 304/2 Whiche ying shuld be to ye Merchantz..full grete hyndryng and a poursuite infinite. ?c1430 (c1400) Rule St. Francis (Corpus Cambr.) in F. D. Matthew (1880) 44 (MED) Þei owen..euere preie to god wiþ clene herte & haue mekenesse & pacience in pursuyt & in infirmyte. 1554 (1814) II. 604/1 James..Lord Hammiltoun..hes..relevit our soueranis maist noble persoun fra the cruell ernistfull persute of the King and counsell of Ingland. c1600 (?c1395) (Trin. Cambr. R.3.15) (1873) 655 Y praie, parceyue now þe pursut of a frere, In what measure of meknesse þise men deleþ. c1639 W. Mure Psalmes cix. 31 in (1898) II. 171 Hee..The poore-man's right hand..from persute of such as wold Condemne his soule, setts free. 1679 No. 302 Quher the said James daylie opresses your suplicants by crewall hunding and worriing of our geir..and as yitt insists in the said crewall persewit. 3. the world > time > duration > [noun] > long duration or lasting through time > lengthening in duration or prolonging > a continuation a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) v. 4423 (MED) Men se poverte With porsuite and continuance Fulofte make a gret chevance. a1500 tr. A. Chartier (Rawl.) (1974) 112 (MED) I woll provide the othir interrogacions aftir their ordres and places according to pursute of the matir aftir that thou hast made thyne answere. 1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán ii. To Rdr, sig. **3v It is a thing of more difficultie, then euery man is aware of, to vndertake the pursuit of another mans discourse. 1650 Earl of Monmouth tr. J. F. Senault 103 We shall see all these truths in the pursuit of this discourse. 1668 J. Owen i. 90 Unless we look on the words as a pursuit of the first Promise. 1683 62 He was no sooner come to the Boat but was aware of his friend Van der Burgh whom he had Stigmatized for an Informer, as was said before..: which leaving we will return to the pursuit of the matter. 1725 D. Defoe i. 16 The Trade which I propose for the Consumation of all the Produce..I refer to speak of by it self, in the further Pursuit of this Work. I return now to the Pursuit of our Voyage. 1796 S. Cullen II. iii. 62 Exclusive of the possible danger attending a further pursuit of the enquiry. 1808 (Royal Soc.) 98 334 The pursuit of the enquiry has required much. 1888 Oct. 500/1 Miss Herkomer, feeling unequal to the further pursuit of the subject..sat down on an empty soap-box. 1921 1 Oct. 9/5 The pursuit of this matter is in the hands of the Baden Public Prosecutor. 2006 (Nexis) 7 Sept. 1 [She] may have gone too far in her pursuit of the matter. the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > [noun] 1605 F. Bacon ii. sig. Ll3v It is order, poursuite, sequence, and interchange of application, which is mightie in nature. View more context for this quotation 1605 F. Bacon ii. sig. Ss1v That men may know in what order or pursuite to reade. View more context for this quotation 1643 R. Gentilis tr. G. Diodati v. vii. 120 He will do according to the quality of humane meanes, which he will make use of herein, which is to worke by succession of time, and by the order and pursuite of the issues. the world > action or operation > continuing > following up, through, or prosecution > [noun] a1631 J. Donne (1652) sig. D10, D10v Towards the pursuite of any worthy design. 1651 T. Hobbes ii. xxiv. 128 The doing of many things in pursuit of their Passions. 1655 tr. C. Sorel xii. 30 He made answer..in pursute of the Instructions which he had received. 1715 6 June 2/2 Col. Macky in Pursuit of his Orders gather'd what Forces he could and imbarked by Water. 1762 T. Gordon tr. Sallust ii. 244 The barbarians..pushed with redoubled ardour, in pursuit of orders from the two kings. 1795 S. Jones ii. xi. 230 Having..attempted to divert the ambassador from the pursuit of his scheme, they sent word to the court of France. 1826 Oct. 386 We proceed therefore in the pursuit of the plan originally formed by us. 1871 30 Mar. 8/5 It seems hardly credible that France..should take a leap in the dark in pursuit of a scheme which..must strike all sensible men as a strange anachronism. 1914 24 205 We can learn of personality with such limitations and possibilities as are attendant upon the pursuit of the method selected. 1938 7 June 7/3 If the spending-lending program is pursued as now planned, three peacetime records will be established... Each of these records will have been achieved in pursuit of a policy which has already been tried and failed. 2002 (Nexis) 22 Apr. 4 The Executive's pursuit of policies such as social inclusion will change the status quo. 4. the world > action or operation > endeavour > [noun] the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > aspiration or ambition > [noun] > pursuit or striving (for) a1425 (c1385) G. Chaucer (1987) ii. 1744 In titeryng and pursuyte and delayes, The folk devyne at waggyng of a stree. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) i. 356 (MED) Of hyȝe desyr thei hadde for to wynne Þe gret tresour þat was shette with-Inne Colchos lond..Whos pursute roos oute of couetise. a1525 A. Cadiou tr. A. Chartier Porteous Noblenes in W. A. Craigie (1923) I. 172 The perseute and folloving of werteu & gud deidis. 1590 C. Marlowe sig. C3v What thinks your greatnes best to be atchieud In pursuit of the Cities ouerthrow. 1609 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 141 Paris should nere retract, what he hath done, Nor faint in the pursuite . View more context for this quotation 1636 W. Boswell in H. Ellis (1843) (Camden) 152 I am in dayly poursuite of more [Medals]. 1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite i, in 12 One Soul shou'd both inspire, and neither prove His fellows Hindrance in pursuit of Love. 1711 J. Addison No. 55. ¶2 An immoderate Pursuit after Wealth and Riches. 1761 P. Delany p. xv God will inspire Your heart with all the purposes most conducive to His glory..and effectually enable You in the happy pursuit and accomplishment of them. 1773 (Royal Soc.) 63 4 A steady perseverance in the research proved not only successful as to this object, but, in the pursuit to discover a resinous matter plentifully procureable in the British fisheries. 1836 J. H. Newman (ed. 2) II. xxviii. 395 You may hear men talk as if the pursuit of wealth was the business of life. 1864 A. Trollope I. xvii. 162 He was a man who was much given to..absences from home, occasioned by a close pursuit of his own special aims in life. 1919 J. Conrad iv. p. iv Tell me something of what you heard from the lips of that aristocratic old lady who thinks that all men are equal and entitled to the pursuit of happiness. 1977 M. Girouard i. 4 In the pursuit of beauty they toured art galleries, frequented concerts. 2006 (Nexis) 19 June 45 Being in business is not all about the ruthless pursuit of profit. the mind > will > intention > [noun] > intention or purpose > end, purpose, or object c1592 C. Marlowe iii. iii Hard-hearted father,..Was this the pursuit of thy policy? 1714 R. Steele p. iii. Much greater Honours than could be purchased from the gaudy Affluence of such Things as are the admiration and first Pursuit of common Men. a1732 J. Gay (1738) II. xi. 97 Be virtue then your first pursuit. a1771 T. Gray Imit. Propertius in (1814) II. 87 Be love my youth's pursuit, and science crown my age. 1800 tr. 17 The only pursuit of sensible people is affluence and pleasure. 1873 1 Mar. 5/3 I desire that they [sc. fertility of soil and so much industry] may not become the sole pursuit of those who possess them. 1968 8 Mar. Chamberlain has come to Britain with the sole pursuit of ‘killing off’ the Dr. Kildare image. 1996 (Nexis) 18 Dec. Profit, although an equally important consideration, should not be our objective and sole pursuit. society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession society > occupation and work > working > [noun] 1529 T. Wolsey in W. B. Scoones (1880) 10 That expedicion be usyd in my persuts, the delay wherof so replenyshyth my herte with hevynes. 1588 N. Yonge sig. A.iiv For yeeres amisse bestow-ed, and time consumed, in vaine pursuites I lan-guish. 1602 W. Watson 97 Yet ceassed they not to follow the pursuite of their impietie in persecuting his happie memorie. 1667 R. Allestree ii. 33 When he [sc. God] sees his light serve only to aid us the more subtilly to contrive our deeds of darkness, he should withdraw it, smite us with blindness like the Sodomites, whom he finds in such impure pursuits. 1726 W. Law iii. 71 He who is busied in an honest and lawful Calling, may on that Account be as well rejected by God, as he who is vainly employ'd in foolish and idle Pursuits. 1760 C. Johnstone I. iv. 158 She is absolutely insensible of the wretchedness of her condition, and never has the pursuit of her most infamous profession disturbed by a moment's remorse. 1774 E. Burke (1844) I. 489 Your constitution of mind is such, that you must have a pursuit. 1800 P. Colquhoun Pref. p. i Those..who follow Nautical Pursuits. 1865 July 87/2 Allowing the scum of Secession to abuse the ‘right of hospitality’ through the pursuit of hostile action against us from the territory of a neutral. 1874 J. R. Green ix. §1. 591 The pursuit of Physical Science became a passion. 1927 A. Conan Doyle 40 If a man has a hobby he follows it up, whatever his other pursuits may be. 1949 K. Clark i. 6 For the first time since antiquity the pursuits of country life are represented in art as a source of happiness. 2006 (Nexis) 1 Oct. e 12 In his single-minded and even zealous pursuit of medicine, he became a sort of evangelist. II. Senses involving physical movement. 6. the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > [noun] > pursuit a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 45 (MED) Eueriche man þat fley to eny of þe þre for socour for trespas þat he hadde i-doo schulde be safe for pursuyt of alle his enemyes. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) i. 1783 So longe laste þe pursute and þe chas. c1500 (1895) 135 The other that had be at the pursyewte & chaas of the paynemys. 1584 H. Llwyd & D. Powel 81 The Danes fled as sheepe before him [sc. Edmund Ironside], but he staied the Pursute by the wicked read of the traitor Edric. 1635 W. Davenant 7 Weary of pursuit, they had no will To grace with death, who basely sought to live. a1680 S. Butler (1759) II. 454 He..makes his Escape, and flies beyond Persuit of Huon-cries. 1708 E. Arwaker ii. xxxiii. 140 (heading) The Country Dog: Or, Flight encourages Pursuit. 1782 W. Cowper 240 All and each that passed that way Did join in the pursuit. 1809 Duke of Wellington (1837) IV. 565 I have been on the pursuit, or rather chace of Soult out of Portugal. 1890 S. Lane-Poole i. iv. 51 The Marquis gave hot pursuit. 1935 H. Read 214 The Green Child followed them leisurely, so as not to give the impression of pursuit. 1991 Feb. 56/3 The pursuit left New York Avenue in the District and entered the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > [phrase] > in pursuit the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > away (of motion) [phrase] > running away 1558 sig. a.vi Ye wear neuer content with more then inough, at all their collacions, assemblies, and sermons, neuer lind yellyng and yalpyng, in pursuit of their pray. 1592 in W. Fraser (1885) IV. 37 Our directioun to zow wes that ze suld joyne in persute or defence with the party obedient. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. i. 122 My hounds..Slowe in pursuit . View more context for this quotation 1660 5 [He] enquired of his brother Yates, what News from Worcester, who told him, that the king was Defeated and in Pursuite. 1681 J. Flavell xiii. 271 Like Children in pursuit of a painted Butterfly. 1720 D. Defoe 305 They heard Voices behind them, and feared 'twas somebody in Pursuit of them. 1772 T. Pennant (1774) 300 A couple were in pursuit of him, in order to have their nuptials celebrated. 1847 T. De Quincey Spanish Mil. Nun in (1854) III. 59 In pursuit of some flying game, [they] had wandered far. 1889 R. S. S. Baden-Powell 125 In pursuit of a small wild boar... She followed his every ‘jink’ or jump striving to get him under her forefeet. 1932 10 Aug. 3/4 The two bank officers sped ahead of officers and other posse-men in pursuit of the robber's car. 1993 G. Donaldson 21 Lemite is in pursuit now, yelling a breathless ‘10–13’ (officer in trouble) into his radio. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > racing with vehicles > bicycle race > [noun] > types of 1897 F. T. Bidlake in May 198/1 It is becoming quite a fashion at race meetings now to include a ‘pursuit race’... I well remember when I first suggested the idea in the pages of a contemporary cycling paper. 1898 9 Jan. 7 (headline) Frenchmen win the pursuit event in a hard contest. 1915 6 Sept. 10/2 The last pursuit was won by the New Century trio after a grind of twenty-five miles. 1956 23 Dec. iii. 6/3 Winners at 1956 Olympic Games... 4000 team pursuit—Italy. 1994 7 Feb. 140/1 Norwegians also swept all five men's cross-country events... Bjorn Daehlie, 26, won the pursuit and the 50K. 2002 30 Nov. 7/4 How would the endurance track riders—such as the team pursuit riders—prepare if there is no road racing during the winter? society > armed hostility > attack > [noun] society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > [noun] c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) iv. 474 (MED) Paris..hath hem so be-leyn With myȝti shot of his stronge archeris, And with þe pursut of his arblasteris. 1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in (1998) I. 189 Dissymilance scho bad go mak persute At all powere to perse the goldyn targe. a1578 R. Lindsay (1899) I. 152 To be stout and deliegent in the persuit of the said castell. 1590 in D. Masson (1881) 1st Ser. IV. 533 For defens of the said burgh in tyme of foreyne persute. c1650 J. Spalding (1850) I. 259 The toun of Edinbrughe..stellit cannonis on ilk ane of thir montis for persute of the castell. Compounds C1. General attributive. a. (In sense 6a). (a) 1930 15 Oct. 12/2 One of the things that most tragically characterized the chase of the Lincoln bank robbers was the lack of co-ordination of pursuit forces. 1983 (Nexis) 31 Jan. 41 Members of the pursuit force..riddled the car with 14 bullets. 1857 7 Dec. 6/1 Whether of the Christopher Columbus, or of the Pirate pursuit party, it made no difference. 1909 5 July 1/6 All available attendants were mustered as a pursuit party. 2003 (Nexis) 6 July 6 Jim had arrived on a weedy pony called Mungo and Tom told him not to bother, but Thomas included him in the pursuit party. 1916 22 Feb. 2/2 An enemy squadron composed of fifteen machines was attacked by one of our pursuit squadrons. 1976 ‘A. Hall’ i. 13 He could be chased..by pursuit squadrons of the Yugoslavian air arm. 2005 (Nexis) 3 Oct. 35 Davis was promoted to lieutenant colonel and took command of the 99th Pursuit Squadron. (b) Designating aircraft designed for aerial combat. society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > [noun] > used in warfare > fighter 1915 29 Nov. 5/8 In the region of Nancy a German aeroplane was attacked by one of our pursuit aeroplanes. 1940 44 485 A Curtiss YP-36 type pursuit aeroplane. 2002 C. A. Carpenter x. 74 In 1916, the Nie 11 had been the standard pursuit aeroplane of the French Army. society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > [noun] > used in warfare > fighter 1928 12 Aug. 3/2 Flights by squadrons are to be made from the decks of the aircraft carriers..and whatever may be the stage of development our pursuit aircraft. 1990 Feb. 13/2 Boeing's pug-nosed pursuit aircraft bridged the gap between conventional biplane designs and..monoplanes. society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > [noun] > used in warfare > fighter 1917 13 May 1/1 On May 11 our pursuit airplanes fought numerous engagements, in which seven German machines, brought down by our pilots, were entirely destroyed. 1928 C. H. Chatfield & C. F. Taylor xv. 267 The pursuit airplane is..purely an offensive type. 1998 D. E. Johnson (2003) xi. 165 For the bomber advocates, the B-17 settled the issue of the ascendancy of the bomber over the pursuit airplane. society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > [noun] > with more than one wing either side > specific biplanes 1920 H. Woodhouse iii. 93 The D.H.5 Pursuit Biplane. 1938 26 Mar. 1/1 The Chinese air armada included Russian bombers and fighters as well as late model pursuit biplanes mounting four machine-guns. society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > [noun] > used in warfare > fighter 1918 E. S. Farrow 479 Pursuit plane. 1932 17 Nov. 1099 (caption) A new Boeing pursuit plane. 1989 B. Spock & M. Morgan ii. 27 There were at least twenty varieties of sphinx moth. They were unusually speedy, shaped like a pursuit plane with sharp, pointed wings. b. (In sense 6c.) 1964 11 Sept. 24/6 Tiemen Croen of the Netherlands defeated Herman Van Loo of Belgium today to win the world championship for amateur pursuit cyclists. 2002 R. J. Maughan & L. Burke 61/1 The sprinter or pursuit cyclist, whose event lasts a few seconds or minutes, has no opportunity or need for fluid intake during competition. 1897Pursuit race [see sense 6c]. 1928 E. Hemingway 190 In a pursuit race, in bicycle racing, riders start at equal intervals to ride after one another. 1996 1 May 13/7 Superbike II, an ultra-thin, gold-seeking bike to be exclusively used by the U.S. in the team pursuit race. C2. the world > animals > birds > flight > [noun] > specific type of 1930 J. Huxley iii. 54 Almost immediately he will fly at her, she will fly off, and the two will turn and twist through the air in what may be called the pursuit flight—a regular part of courtship in yellow-hammers and many other small birds. 1954 D. A. Bannerman III. 376 Mr. Hartley describes tail-fanning by both sexes [of swallows] in pursuit flight. 2000 (Nexis) 22 Jan. 34 The adult birds are already in their breeding pairs, a small group of males carrying out pursuit flights towards a female. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † pursuitv.Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: pursuit n. Etymology: < pursuit n. Compare earlier persecute v., pursue v.In form persuit with prefix substitution (compare per- prefix, and γ. forms at pursue v., α. forms at pursuit n.). Scottish. Obsolete. rare. the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > persecute 1563 N. Winȝet (1888) I. 67 We ar..iniustlie persuitit, with sa grete rigour, as we war heretikis or apostatis. 1563 N. Winȝet (1888) I. 95 King Saull..persuitand the said Dauid iniustlie to the deth. 1697 in (1898) 13 78 There is pursuited a petition for a contribution towards the building of a Kirk for those of the reformed religion at Coningsbergh. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online December 2020). <  n.1380 v.1563 |
