pursue

Borrowed from Anglo-Norman pursure, poursuire etc., from Old French porsuir, from Latin prōsequor (though influenced by persequor). Doublet of prosecute.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /pəˈsjuː/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /pɚˈsu/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /pəˈʃu/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

pursue (third-person singular simple present pursues, present participle pursuing, simple past and past participle pursued)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase. [from 14th c.]
   • Wyclif Bible, John xv. 20

     The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued me, they shall pursue you also.

   • 2009, Martin Chulov, ‘Iraqi shoe-thrower claims he suffered torture in jail’, The Guardian, 15 Sep 09:

     He now feared for his life, and believed US intelligence agents would pursue him.

2. (transitive) To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.). [from late 14th c.]

   Her rival pursued a quite different course.

3. (transitive) To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.). [from late 14th c.]
   • 2009, Benjamin Pogrund, ‘Freeze won't hurt Netanyahu’, The Guardian, 1 Dec 09:

     He even stands to gain in world terms: his noisy critics strengthen his projected image of a man determined to pursue peace with Palestinians.

4. (transitive) To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession). [from 15th c.]
5. (intransitive) To act as a legal prosecutor.

• follow
• chase

• sure up