Added 9 October 2026
persecute
/ˈpɝsəkjut/ verb
Latin root: persecutor Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about persecute at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
To pursue in a manner to do harm or cruelty to; especially, because of the victim's race, sexual identity, or adherence to a particular belief.
He who persecutes one will persecute all.
- To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.
-
To kill many of one species of animal, with the intent of removing them from human habitats.
Humans have been persecuting wolves in this forest for centuries.
Origin
Borrowed from Middle French persécuter, from Ecclesiastical Latin persecutor, from Latin persequor, persecutus (“follow up, pursue”), from per- (“through”) + sequor (“follow”) (English sequel). Compare prosecute. Cf. also pursue.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)