prosecuting


pros·e·cute

P0606400 (prŏs′ĭ-kyo͞ot′)v. pros·e·cut·ed, pros·e·cut·ing, pros·e·cutes v.tr.1. Law a. To initiate or conduct a criminal case against: prosecute a defendant for murder.b. To initiate or conduct (a civil case or legal action): prosecute a lawsuit for libel.c. To initiate or conduct legal proceedings regarding (an offense, for example): prosecute drug possession.2. a. To pursue (an undertaking, for example) until completion; continue to the very end: prosecute a war.b. To carry on, engage in, or practice (an occupation or business).3. To chase or pursue (a vessel): "He held a dispatch saying that [they] had prosecuted and probably killed an Echo-class missile submarine" (Tom Clancy).v.intr. Law To initiate or conduct legal proceedings: decided to prosecute.
[Middle English prosecuten, from Latin prōsequī, prōsecūt- : prō-, forward; see pro-1 + sequī, to follow; see sekw- in Indo-European roots.]
pros′e·cut′a·ble adj.

prosecuting

(ˈprɒsɪˌkjuːtɪŋ) adj (Law) carrying out a prosecution