pursue

English

From Anglo-Norman pursuer, poursuire et al., Old French porsuir, from Latin prōsequī (though influenced by persequī).

pursue (third-person singular simple present pursues, present participle pursuing, simple past and past participle pursued)

(obsolete, transitive) To follow with harmful intent; to try to harm, to persecute, torment. [from 14th c.]
(transitive) To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase. [from 14th c.]
- Wyclif Bible, John xv. 20
  The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued me, they shall pursue you also.
- 2009, Martin Chulov, ‘Iraqi shoe-thrower claims he suffered torture in jail’, The Guardian, 15 Sep 09:
  He now feared for his life, and believed US intelligence agents would pursue him.
(transitive) To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.). [from late 14th c.]
Her rival pursued a quite different course.
(transitive) To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.). [from late 14th c.]
- 2009, Benjamin Pogrund, ‘Freeze won't hurt Netanyahu’, The Guardian, 1 Dec 09:
  He even stands to gain in world terms: his noisy critics strengthen his projected image of a man determined to pursue peace with Palestinians.
(transitive) To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession). [from 15th c.]

to follow urgently

to travel down a particular way or course of action

to aim for

to participate in, practise (an activity, profession)

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