v.
Pronunciation: ' prä-si- ˌ kyüt
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -cut · ed ; -cut · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin prosecutus, past participle of prosequi to pursue ― more at PURSUE
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 : to follow to the end : pursue until finished <was ⋯ ordered to prosecute the war with ⋯ vigor ― Marjory S. Douglas>
2 : to engage in : PERFORM
3 a : to bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of law < prosecuted them for fraud> b : to institute legal proceedings with reference to < prosecute a claim>
intransitive verb : to institute and carry on a legal suit or prosecution
– pros · e · cut · able \ ˌ prä-s ə - ' kyü-t ə -b ə l \ adjective