pursue English · revision 6691

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1280|origins=la sequor}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pəˈsjuː/, /pəˈʃuː/ ''(UK)''; /pɚˈsu/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English pursiwen, pursuen, [[bor|xno|pursuer]] and directly [[m|fro|poursuir]], a variant of [[m|fro|porsivre|t=to chase, pursue, carry on]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from Vulgar Latin *prōsequere, from [[la|prōsequor|alt=prōsequī|t=to follow after]] (see [[prosecute]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|pro-|t=forward]] and [[m|la|sequor|alt=sequī|t=to follow]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from PIE [[ine-pro|*sekʷ-|t=to follow]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To harass, torment or persecute: about 1280 in Barnhart, about 1290 in the OED,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the late 13th century in Etymonline, of following with hostile intent.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To chase, follow or seek after is from about 1300.^(Barnhart 1988) To proceed along a path or course, usually figuratively, and to seek to obtain something are from the late 14th century, senses which Latin also had.^(Etymonline) To continue or carry on an activity, and to follow a profession or hobby, follow from these.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) [[pursuit|alt=Pursuit]] meant persecution in the 14th century;^(Hoad 1986) [[pursuance]] is from 1596, in Bacon, and [[pursuant]] from 1691.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1280 – to persecute.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1300 – to chase.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – to follow a course; to seek to obtain.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1596 – pursuance.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To follow in order to catch; to [[chase]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To strive to achieve or obtain: ''pursue a goal''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To continue with or carry on: ''pursue an inquiry''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To engage in a profession, activity or hobby.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To try to start a relationship with someone; to [[court]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[pursuable]]

+ * [[pursuer]]

+ * [[pursuance]]

+ * [[repursue]]

+ * [[unpursued]]

+ * [[unpursuing]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pursuant]]

+ * [[pursuit]]

+ * [[prosecute]]

+ * [[sequel]]

+ * [[persecute]]

+ * [[suit]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}