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Webster 1913 Edition
Persecution
Perˊse-cu′tion
,Noun.
 [F. 
persécution
, L. persecutio
.] 1. 
The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship. 
Persecution 
produces no sincere conviction. Paley.
2. 
The state or condition of being persecuted. 
Locke.
 3. 
A carrying on; prosecution. 
[Obs.] 
Webster 1828 Edition
Persecution
PERSECU'TION
,Noun.
  1.
  The state of being persecuted. Our necks are under persecution; we labor and have no rest. Lam.5.