-süt, usu -üd.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French purseute, from Old French poursieute, poursuite, from poursivre, poursuir to pursue, prosecute — more at pursue
1.
a. : an act of pursuing (as with malice) : a following to overtake usually with hurtful intentions : a chasing with haste (as to kill or capture)
pursuit of game
went out in pursuit of the thief
spent his life in vicious pursuit of his former rival
b.
(1) chiefly Scots & eccl law : a process of litigating : prosecution
(2) obsolete : a suing or pleading especially for mercy or attention : entreaty
c. obsolete : attacking, assault
2.
a. : an activity that one pursues or engages in seriously and continually or frequently as a vocation or profession or as an avocation
except in the arts, letters, or other unprofitable pursuits — H.S.Canby
: a way of life : occupation
the law, being a profession, was accounted a more gentlemanly pursuit than business — Edith Wharton
b. : an end pursued : objective
3. : a following with a view to reach, accomplish, or obtain : an endeavor to attain to, gain, or achieve
the pursuit of knowledge
mad pursuit of pleasure
4. : pursuit plane
Synonyms: see work