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pursue

6 dictionary results for: pursue

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

pur·sue

[per-soo] Pronunciation Key verb, -sued, -su·ing.

–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 (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pur·sue   (pər-sōō') Pronunciation Key
v.   pur·sued, pur·su·ing, pur·sues

v.   tr.

To follow in an effort to overtake or capture; chase: a fox that was pursued by hounds.
To strive to gain or accomplish: pursue lofty political goals.
To proceed along the course of; follow: a ship that pursued the southern course.
To carry further; advance: Let's not pursue this argument.
To be engaged in (a vocation or hobby, for example).
To court: a lady who was pursued by many suitors.
To continue to torment or afflict; haunt: was pursued by the demons of lust and greed.

v. intr.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

pursue
verb
1.	carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in; "She pursued many activities"; "They engaged in a discussion" [syn: prosecute]
2.	follow in or as if in pursuit; "The police car pursued the suspected attacker"; "Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life"
3.	go in search of or hunt for; "pursue a hobby" [syn: quest for]
4.	carry further or advance; "Can you act on this matter soon?"

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Pursue

Pur*sue"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pursued; p. pr. & vb. n. Pursuing.] [OE. pursuen, porsuen, OF. porsivre, poursuivre, poursuir, F. poursuivre, fr. L. prosequi; pro forward + sequi to follow. See Sue, and cf. Prosecute, Pursuivant.]

1. To follow with a view to overtake; to follow eagerly, or with haste; to chase; as, to pursue a hare.

We happiness pursue; we fly from pain. --Prior.

The happiness of men lies in purswing, Not in possessing. --Longfellow.

2. To seek; to use or adopt measures to obtain; as, to pursue a remedy at law.

The fame of ancient matrons you pursue. --Dryden.

3. To proceed along, with a view to some and or object; to follow; to go in; as, Captain Cook pursued a new route; the administration pursued a wise course.

4. To prosecute; to be engaged in; to continue. " Insatiate to pursue vain war." --Milton.

5. To follow as an example; to imitate.

6. To follow with enmity; to persecute; to call to account.

The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued me, they shall pursue you also. --Wyclif (John xv. 20).

Syn: To follow; chase; seek; persist. See Follow.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Pursue

Pur*sue"\, v. i. 1. To go in pursuit; to follow.

The wicked flee when no man pursueth. --Prov. xxviii. 1.

Men hotly pursued after the objects of their ambition. --Earle.

2. To go on; to proceed, especially in argument or discourse; to continue.