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Definition of prosecution - 5 dictionary results

pros⋅e⋅cu⋅tion

  [pros-i-kyoo-shuhn]
Use prosecution in a Sentence
–noun
1. Law.
a. the institution and carrying on of legal proceedings against a person.
b. the body of officials by whom such proceedings are instituted and carried on.
2. the following up of something undertaken or begun, usually to its completion.
Origin:
1555–65; < LL prōsecūtiōn- (s. of prōsecūtiō) a following up. See prosecute, -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pros·e·cut·ing attorney   (prŏs'ĭ-kyōō'tĭng)
n.   Abbr. PA or Pros. Atty.
A lawyer empowered to prosecute cases on behalf of a government and its people. Also called prosecution, prosecutor.
pros·e·cu·tion   (prŏs'ĭ-kyōō'shən)   
n.  
  1. The act of prosecuting.
  2. The institution and conduct of a legal proceeding.
  3. See prosecuting attorney.
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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Prosecution

Pros`e*cu"tion\, n. [L. prosecutio a following.]

1. The act or process of prosecuting, or of endeavoring to gain or accomplish something; pursuit by efforts of body or mind; as, the prosecution of a scheme, plan, design, or undertaking; the prosecution of war.

Keeping a sharp eye on her domestics . . . in prosecution of their various duties. --Sir W. Scott.

2. (Law) (a) The institution and carrying on of a suit in a court of law or equity, to obtain some right, or to redress and punish some wrong; the carrying on of a judicial proceeding in behalf of a complaining party, as distinguished from defense. (b) The institution, or commencement, and continuance of a criminal suit; the process of exhibiting formal charges against an offender before a legal tribunal, and pursuing them to final judgment on behalf of the state or government, as by indictment or information. (c) The party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted. --Blackstone. Burrill. Mozley & W.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : prosecution
Spanish: proceso, juicio; acusación,
German: strafrechtliche Verfolgung,
Japanese: 起訴
More Translations »

Main Entry: pros·e·cu·tion
Pronunciation: "prä-si-'kyü-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the act or process of prosecuting; especially : the institution and carrying on of a criminal action involving the process of seeking formal charges against a person and pursuing those charges to final judgment
2 : the party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted or conducted —compare DEFENSE 3, PLAINTIFF
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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