pros ‧ e ‧ cute /ˈprɒsɪkjuːt $ ˈprɑː-/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of prosequi 'to follow and try to catch' ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to charge someone with a crime and try to show that they are guilty of it in a court of law:
Shoplifters will be prosecuted.
prosecute somebody for (doing) something
Buxton is being prosecuted for assault.
prosecute somebody under a law/Act etc
The company is to be prosecuted under the Health and Safety Act.
2 . [intransitive and transitive] if a lawyer prosecutes a case, he or she tries to prove that the person charged with a crime is guilty ⇨ defend :
Mrs Lynn Smith, prosecuting, said the offence took place on January 27.
3 . [transitive] formal to continue doing something:
We cannot prosecute the investigation further.