| 释义 |
prosecution|prɒsɪˈkjuːʃən|
Also 6 prosequutioun, -quitioun, 6–7 -quution.
[a. OF. prosecution (1294 in Godef.), or ad. late L. prōsecūtiōn-em, n. of action f. prōsequī to prosecute.]
The action of prosecuting.
1. The following up, continuing, or carrying out of any action, scheme, or purpose, with a view to its accomplishment or attainment.
1567Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 529 Proceding still in the prosequutioun of that rychtuous querrell. 1589Ibid. IV. 440 The prosequutioun of hir jornay. 1607Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 543 The same devises, diligence, labour, prosecution, and observations, are to be used in the hunting of the Boar. 1682Enq. Elect. Sheriffs 13 The Design, in prosecution whereof, they are so zealous. 1747Col. Rec. Pennsylv. V. 142 For the present to lay aside the prosecution of the intended Expedition. 1852H. Rogers Ecl. Faith (1853) 198 In the prosecution of their object. 1884Manch. Exam. 22 May 5/2 Nothing was to be gained by the further prosecution of the war.
†b. concr. A continuation. in prosecution, in the sequel, subsequently, in due course. Obs.
a1641Bp. R. Montagu Acts & Mon. iv. (1642) 255 Antipater his eldest son, of whom we shall heare much in prosecution. 1688R. Holme Armoury iii. 454/1 This Chapter is a prosecution of the latter end of the foregoing.
2. The carrying on, exercise, performance, or plying of a pursuit, occupation, etc.
1631Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. To Rdr. 7 In the prosequution of this businesse. 1707Addison Pres. St. War (1708) 1 Their Prosecutions of Commerce, and Pursuits of Universal Monarchy. 1823Scoresby Jrnl. Whale Fish. p. xv, The original design of the voyage..was the prosecution of the Whale-Fishery. 1879Cassell's Techn. Educ. IV. 76/2 Well calculated for the successful prosecution of ostreoculture.
†3. The following out of anything minutely or in detail; investigation. Obs.
1615Crooke Body of Man 300 My purpose was onely to touch the heads of things, reseruing my selfe to heereafter for the particular prosecution. 1659T. Bushell (title) Abridgement of the Lord Chancellor Bacon's Philosophical Theory in Mineral Prosecutions. a1677Hale Prim. Orig. Man. 1 It is not here seasonable to make a large prosecution of the particular instances. 17..in Westm. Gaz. 16 Oct. (1906) 2/3 Promises..which he design'd certainly to have comply'd with, had not a Tide of new Things flow'd in, and prevented the Method of his Prosecutions.
†4. The action of pursuing; a literal pursuit, chase, or hunting. Obs.
1567Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 530 The prosequutioun of the committaris of the said cruell murthour. 1582Ibid. III. 53 In the prosequutioun of the saidis thevis and brokin men. 1610J. Guillim Heraldry iii. xvi. (1611) 147 Dogges of prosequution, as Beagles Terriers and such like. 1649Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. Exhort. §16 Let us therefore press after Jesus, as Elisha did after his Master, with an inseparable prosecution, even whithersoever he goes.
fig.1606Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iv. xiv. 65 When I should see behinde me Th' ineuitable prosecution of disgrace and horror.
†b. Action or effort to obtain or get possession of property or a benefice. Obs.
1564Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 309 Quhilkis gudis the saidis Bonauenture Bodeker and Conradt Van Boekert causit to be persewit. And in the prosequitioun thairof, the materis cumin to that end, that the saidis gudis ar put, be inventure, in the handis of certane cautionaris. 1628Prynne Cens. Cozens 41 These are so taken vp with..the eager prosecution of some fat Benefice.
5. Law.
a. In strict technical language: A proceeding either by way of indictment or information in the criminal courts, in order to put an offender upon his trial; the exhibition of a criminal charge against a person before a court of justice.
b. In general language: The institution and carrying on of legal proceedings against a person.
c. Loosely: The party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted and carried on. Also attrib.
1631Massinger Beleeve as You List iii. i, [To] commit Unto your abler trust the prosecution Of this impostor. 1765Blackstone Comm. I. vii. 268 In criminal proceedings, or prosecutions for offences, it would still be a higher absurdity, if the king personally sate in judgement; because in regard to these he appears in another capacity, that of prosecutor. 1769Ibid. IV. xxi. 289 The regular and ordinary method of proceeding in the courts of criminal jurisdiction..may be distributed under twelve general heads... 1. Arrest; 2. Commitment and bail; 3. Prosecution; 4. Process; 5. Arraignment, and it's incidents; 6. Plea and issue; 7. Trial, and conviction; [etc.]. 1817W. Selwyn Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. 993 Of the Action on the Case for a Malicious Prosecution, and in what Cases such Action may be maintained. 1832tr. Sismondi's Ital. Rep. xi. 243 His third criminal prosecution began, like the two others, with torture. 1891Daily News 30 Sept. 2/5 [He] contended that..two of the prosecution witnesses had really favoured the case of the defendant. 1901Ibid. 2 Mar. 7/3 The prosecution's theory was that prisoner wanted to get rid of his wife.
d. director of public prosecutions: an English law officer, appointed in 1879 by Act 42 & 43 Vict. c. 22, to institute and conduct criminal proceedings in the public interest. Cf. public prosecutor below.
1879Act 42 & 43 Vict. c. 22 §2 A Secretary of State may from time to time appoint an officer to be called the Director of Public Prosecutions... It shall be the duty of the Director of Public Prosecutions, under the Superintendence of the Attorney General, to institute, undertake, or carry on such criminal proceedings..as may be..prescribed by regulations under this Act. 1884Act 47 & 48 Vict. c. 58 §2 On and after the passing of this Act..the person for the time holding the office of Solicitor for the affairs of Her Majesty's Treasury shall be Director of Public Prosecutions. 1902L. L. Shadwell in Encycl. Brit. XXVIII. 1/2, The director of public prosecutions attends the trial [of election petitions] personally or by representative.
†6. = persecution 1. Obs.
1647Clarendon Hist. Reb. iii. §122 An Instance of as great Animosity, and Indirect Prosecution,..as can be given. 1759Hume Hist. Eng. II. ii. 491 Requiring him..to desist from the farther prosecution of his Queen's party. |