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pursue

 - 3 dictionary results

pur⋅sue

  [per-soo] verb, -sued, -su⋅ing.
Use pursue in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase.
2. to follow close upon; go with; attend: Bad luck pursued him.
3. to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
4. to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).
5. to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.).
6. to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.
7. to practice (an occupation, pastime, etc.).
8. to continue to discuss (a subject, topic, etc.).
9. to follow: They pursued the river to its source. I felt their eyes pursuing me.
10. to continue; go on with (one's course, a journey, etc.).
–verb (used without object)
11. to follow in pursuit.
12. to continue.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME pursuen < AF pursuer ≪ L prōsequī to pursue, follow, continue. See pro- 1 , sue, prosecute

Related forms:
pur⋅su⋅a⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
1. trail, hunt. 2. dog.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pursue
pur·sue   (pər-sōō')   
v.   pur·sued, pur·su·ing, pur·sues

v.   tr.

  1. To follow in an effort to overtake or capture; chase: a fox that was pursued by hounds.

  2. To strive to gain or accomplish: pursue lofty political goals.

  3. To proceed along the course of; follow: a ship that pursued the southern course.

  4. To carry further; advance: Let's not pursue this argument.

  5. To be engaged in (a vocation or hobby, for example).

  6. To court: a lady who was pursued by many suitors.

  7. To continue to torment or afflict; haunt: was pursued by the demons of lust and greed.

v.   intr.

  1. To follow in an effort to overtake or capture; chase.

  2. To carry on; continue.


[Middle English pursuen, from Anglo-Norman pursuer, from Vulgar Latin *prōsequere, from Latin prōsequī; see prosecute.]
pur·su'a·ble adj., pur·su'er n.
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

pursue 
c.1290, "to follow with hostile intent," from Anglo-Fr. pursuer, from O.Fr. poursuir, variant of porsivre, from V.L. *prosequare, from L. prosequi "follow up" (cf. prosecute), from pro- "forward" + sequi "follow" (see sequel). Meaning "to proceed, to follow" (a path, etc.), usually figurative, is from 1390.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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