Prosecute

• POS: Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: pros=e=cute

CIDE DICTIONARY

Prosecute, v. t. [L. prosecutus, p. p. of prosequi to follow, pursue. See Pursue.].

•  To follow or pursue with a view to reach, execute, or accomplish; to endeavor to obtain or complete; to carry on; to continue; as, to prosecute a scheme, hope, or claim.  [1913 Webster]

  "I am beloved Hermia;
  Why should not I, then, prosecute my right ?"  [1913 Webster]
•  To seek to obtain by legal process; as, to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law.  [1913 Webster]
•  To pursue with the intention of punishing; to accuse of some crime or breach of law, or to pursue for redress or punishment, before a legal tribunal; to proceed against judicially; as, to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot.  [1913 Webster]

  "To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes."  [1913 Webster]

Prosecute, v. i. 

•  To follow after.  Latimer.  [1913 Webster]
•  To institute and carry on a legal prosecution; as, to prosecute for public offenses.  Blackstone.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Prosecute, v.tr.
1 (also absol.) a institute legal proceedings against (a person). b institute a prosecution with reference to (a claim, crime, etc.) (decided not to prosecute).
2 follow up, pursue (an inquiry, studies, etc.).
3 carry on (a trade, pursuit, etc.).

Derivative

prosecutable adj.

Etymology

ME f. L prosequi prosecut- (as PRO-(1), sequi follow)

THESAURUS

Prosecute

abide by, accuse, adhere to, administer, arraign, bring action against, bring into court, bring suit, bring to justice, bring to trial, carry on, carry out, carry through, charge, chase, chivy, complete, conduct, continue, discharge, do, dog, drag into court, effect, effectuate, employ, enforce, engage in, execute, exercise, fill out, follow, follow through, follow up, fulfill, give chase, go after, go in for, go into litigation, go on with, go to law, hollo after, honor, hound, hunt, implead, implement, indict, law, litigate, make, make after, make out, observe, perform, persist, practice, promulgate, prosecute at law, pursue, put in force, put in suit, put on trial, put through, quest, quest after, raise the hunt, render, run after, search, see through, seek, seek in law, seek justice, seek out, specialize in, sue, tackle, take on, take out after, take to, take to court, take up, transact, try, undertake, use, wage, work at

ROGET THESAURUS

Prosecute

Pursuit

VB pursue, prosecute, follow, run after, make after, be after, hunt after, prowl after, shadow, carry on, engage in, set about, endeavor, court, seek, aim at, follow the trail, fish for, press on, run a race, chase, give chase, course, dog, hunt, hound, tread on the heels, follow on the heels of, rush upon, rush headlong, ride full tilt at, run full tilt at, make a leap at, jump at, snatch at run down, start game, tread a path, take a course, hold a course, shape one's steps, direct one's steps, bend one's steps, course, play a game, fight one's way, elbow one's way, follow up, take to, take up, go in for, ride one's hobby.

Action

VB do, perform, execute, achieve, transact, enact, commit, perpetrate, inflict, exercise, prosecute, carry on, work, practice, play, employ oneself, ply one's task, officiate, have in hand, labor, be at work, pursue a course, shape one's course, act, operate, take action, take steps, strike a blow, lift a finger, stretch forth one's hand, take in hand, put oneself in motion, put in practice, carry into execution, act upon, be an actor, take a part in, act a part in, play a part in, perform a part in, participate in, have a hand in, have a finger in the pie, have to do with, be a party to, be a participator in, bear a hand, lend a hand, pull an oar, run in a race, mix oneself up with, be in action, come into operation.

Lawsuit

VB go to law, appeal to the law, bring to justice, bring to trial, bring to the bar, put on trial, pull up, accuse, prefer a claim, file a claim, take the law of, inform against, serve with a writ, cite, apprehend, arraign, sue, prosecute, bring an action against, indict, impeach, attach, distrain, commit, arrest, summon, summons, give in charge, empanel a jury, implead, join issue, close the pleadings, set down for hearing, try, hear a cause, sit in judgment, adjudicate.

Accusation

VB accuse, charge, tax, impute, twit, taunt with, reproach, brand with reproach, stigmatize, slur, cast a stone at, cast a slur on, incriminate, criminate, inculpate, implicate, call to account, take to blame, take to task, put in the black book, inform against, indict, denounce, arraign, impeach, appeach, have up, show up, pull up, challenge, cite, lodge a complaint, prosecute, bring an action against, blow upon, charge with, saddle with, lay to one's door, lay charge, lay the blame on, bring home to, cast in one's teeth, throw in one's teeth, cast the first stone at, have a rod in pickle for, keep a rod in pickle for, have a crow to pluck with, trump up a charge.