Persecute Definition
pûrsĭ-kyo͝ot
persecuted, persecutes, persecuting
verb
persecuted, persecutes, persecuting
To afflict or harass constantly so as to injure or distress; oppress cruelly, esp. for reasons of religion, politics, or race.
Webster's New World
To trouble or annoy constantly.
Persecuted by mosquitoes.
Webster's New World
To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Origin of Persecute
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Middle English from Old French persecuter back-formation from persecuteur persecutor from Late Latin persecūtor from persecūtus past participle of persequī to persecute from Latin to pursue per- per- sequī to follow sekw-1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From French persécuter, from Latin persequor (“follow up, pursue"), from per- (“through") +"Ž sequor (“follow") (English sequel). Compare prosecute.
From Wiktionary
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