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persecutional

 - 4 dictionary results

per⋅se⋅cu⋅tion

  [pur-si-kyoo-shuhn]
Use persecutional in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of persecuting.
2. the state of being persecuted.
3. a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs: the persecutions of Christians by the Romans.
Origin:
1300–50; ME persecucio(u)n < LL persecūtiōn- (s. of persecūtiō), L: prosecution, equiv. to persecūt(us) ptp. of persequī (see persecute ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
per⋅se⋅cu⋅tion⋅al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To persecutional
per·se·cu·tion   (pûr'sĭ-kyōō'shən)   
n.  

  1. The act or practice of persecuting on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs that differ from those of the persecutor.

  2. The condition of being persecuted.

per'se·cu'tion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

persecution 
c.1340, "oppression for the holding of a belief or opinion," from O.Fr. persecution (12c.), from L. persecutionem (nom. persecutio), noun of action from persequi "pursue, start a legal action," from per- "through" + sequi "follow" (see sequel). The verb persecute is attested from 1482 in the sense of "to oppress for the holding of a belief or opinion," from M.Fr. persécuter "pursue, torment, open legal action" (14c.), from L. persecutus, pp. of persequi. Psychological persecution complex is recorded from 1961; earlier persecution mania (1892).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: per·se·cu·tion
Function: noun
: punishment or harassment usually of a severe nature on the basis of race, religion, or political opinion in one's country of origin persecution and sought asylum>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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