Prosecute

Origin

From Latin prōsecūtus, perfect participle of prōsequor. Compare persecute.

Full definition of prosecute

Verb

1. (transitive, legal) To start criminal proceedings against.to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot
• MiltonTo acquit themselves and prosecute their foes.
2. (transitive, legal) To charge, try.
3. To seek to obtain by legal process.to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law
4. (transitive) To pursue something to the end.to prosecute a scheme, hope, or claim
• ShakespeareI am beloved of beauteous Hermia;
  Why should not I, then, prosecute my right?

Derived terms

• prosecutable

Related terms

• nolle prosequi
• persecute
• prosecution
• prosecutor
• sequence