— prosecutable , adj. — prosecutability , n.
/pros"i kyooht'/ , v. , prosecuted, prosecuting .
v.t.
1. Law.
a. to institute legal proceedings against (a person).
b. to seek to enforce or obtain by legal process.
c. to conduct criminal proceedings in court against.
2. to follow up or carry forward something undertaken or begun, usually to its completion: to prosecute a war.
3. to carry on or practice.
v.i.
4. Law.
a. to institute and carry on a legal prosecution.
b. to act as prosecutor.
[ 1400-50; late ME prosecuten to follow up, go on with prosecutus, ptp. of prosequi to pursue, proceed with, equiv. to pro- PRO- 1 + secu-, var. s. of sequi to follow + -tus ptp. suffix ]
Syn. 3. perform, discharge, execute, conduct.