— persecutingly , adv. — persecutive , adj. — persecutiveness , n. — persecutor , n. — persecutory /perr"si kyooh'teuh ree, -kyeuh tawr'ee, -tohr'ee/ , adj.
/perr"si kyooht'/ , v.t., persecuted, persecuting .
1. to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, esp. because of religion, race, or beliefs; harass persistently.
2. to annoy or trouble persistently.
[ 1400-50; late ME; back formation from persecutour persecutor persecutor orig. prosecutor, equiv. to persecu-, var. s. of persequi to prosecute, pursue closely (see PER-, SEQUENCE) + -tor -TOR ]
Syn. 1. afflict, torture, torment. 2. worry, badger, vex, bother, pester.