persecute

Meaning

Verb

  • To pursue in a manner to do harm or cruelty to; especially, to because the victim's race, sexual identity, adherence to a particular belief.
  • To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.

Related

Similar words

Origin

  • Borrowed from Middle French persécuter, from Ecclesiastical Latin persecutor, from Latin persequor ("follow up, pursue"), from per- + sequor (English sequel). Compare prosecute. Cf. also pursue.

Modern English dictionary

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