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.
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
In a statement, she said the letter never should have been sent and her office wouldn’t prosecute a journalist or compel them to reveal sources.
Morning Report: SDPD Has Ticketed Dozens for ‘Seditious Language’|Voice of San Diego|August 3, 2020|Voice of San Diego
She called it “antiquated” and said deputy city attorneys would not prosecute anyone for it.
SDPD Is Punishing Speech Using a 102-Year-Old City Law|Kate Nucci|August 3, 2020|Voice of San Diego
My office has never – and will never – prosecute a journalist or compel them to reveal confidential sources.
Politics Report: Mara Elliott, Plumber|Scott Lewis and Andrew Keatts|August 1, 2020|Voice of San Diego
The office also prosecutes all misdemeanor crimes in the city of San Diego.
Politics Report: Vacation Rentals? It’s Just Like Old Times!|Scott Lewis and Andrew Keatts|July 4, 2020|Voice of San Diego
As San Diego prepares to prosecute people who attended protests, the streetlight camera footage could be useful not just to local authorities, but to federal prosecutors.
Police Used Smart Streetlight Footage to Investigate Protesters|Jesse Marx|June 29, 2020|Voice of San Diego
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)
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, adjective
Word Origin for prosecute
C15: from Latin prōsequī to follow, from prō- forward + sequī to follow