Latin

Verb

persequor ‎(present infinitive persequī, perfect active persecūtus sum); third conjugation, deponent

1. I follow perseveringly, continue to follow; search through; pursue.
2. I seek to obtain, strive after, seek out.
3. I follow the teaching or example of someone, imitate.
4. I follow up with action, execute, bring about, do, accomplish.
5. (in a hostile manner) I pursue, chase, hunt; avenge, take vengeance upon someone or something; prosecute.
6. (in writing) I follow, take down, minute down, keep pace with, record.
7. (in speech or writing) I relate, recount, describe, explain.
   • c. 4 BCE – 65 CE, Seneca the Younger, De brevitate vitae 13

     Persequi singulos longum est quorum aut latrunculi aut pila aut excoquendi in sole corporis cura consumpsere uitam.

     It would be tedious to mention all the different men who have spent the whole of their life over chess or ball or the practice of baking their bodies in the sun.

8. (intransitive) I follow or come after.

Inflection

Synonyms

• (take vengeance upon): pūniō, ulcīscor, vindicō

Derived terms

Related terms

Descendants

References

• persequor in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• persequor in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• Félix Gaffiot (1934), “persequor”, in Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Paris: Hachette.
• Meissner, Carl; Auden, Henry William (1894) Latin Phrase-Book, London: Macmillan and Co.
  • to continue one's journey, pursue one's course: viam persequi (also metaphorically)
    
  • to follow in any one's steps: vestigia alicuius sequi, persequi or vestigiis aliquem sequi, persequi
    
  • to execute a commission: mandatum exsequi, persequi, conficere
    
  • to sing the praises of some one (not canere aliquem: alicuius laudes versibus persequi
    
  • to give a full, detailed account of a thing: pluribus verbis, copiosius explicare, persequi aliquid
    
  • to treat in writing: litteris persequi (vid. sect. VIII. 2, note persequi...) aliquid
    
  • to avenge an insult: iniurias persequi (Verr. 2. 3. 9)
    
  • to assert one's right: ius suum persequi
    
  • to exact a penalty from some one: poenas alicuius persequi
    
  • to harass with war: bello persequi aliquem, lacessere
    
  • to follow up and harass the enemy when in flight: hostes (fusos) persequi