prosecution English · revision 10321

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1564|origins=fr prosecution|origins=la prosecutio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌpɹɒs.ɪˈkjuː.ʃən/ ''(UK)''; /ˌpɹɑ.sɪˈkju.ʃən/, /ˌpɹɒs.ɪˈkju.ʃən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|prosecution]] (late 13th century) and directly from Late Latin prōsecūtiō, prōsecūtiōnem, a following, continuation, retinue,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from prōsecūtus, past participle of prōsequī, to follow after, pursue, attack (see [[prosecute]]).^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The carrying out or following up of anything: 1567 in the OED, the 1560s in Etymonline;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) the effort to obtain a property or benefice from 1564.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A literal pursuit or chase (1567) is obsolete.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The carrying on of an occupation is from 1631.^(OED 1989) The legal sense, the institution and carrying out of a suit at law, is from the 1630s,^(Etymonline) and hence the party who brings the proceedings from 1891.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1564 – effort to obtain property.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1567 – following up, pursuit.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1630s – a legal proceeding.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1891 – the prosecuting party.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The institution and conduct of legal proceedings against someone charged with a [[crime]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The lawyers or party bringing such proceedings.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The act of carrying out or following through a course of action.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonprosecution]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[persecution]]

+ * [[prosecute]]

+ * [[sequence]]

+ * [[prosecutor]]

+ * [[pursue]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}