prosecutionn.
/ˌprɒsᵻˈkjuːʃn/, U.S. /ˌprɑsəˈkjuʃ(ə)n/ 1. † b. Continuation; an instance of this. in prosecution: in the sequel, subsequently, in due course. Obsolete.
a. The following up, continuation, or pursuit of any action, scheme, or purpose with a view to its accomplishment or completion.Now frequently with reference to the conduct of a war.In earliest use (quot. 1545): the action of pressing a person to achieve some object.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > following up, through, or prosecution > [noun]
suinga1325
prosecution1545
conveyance1572
through-handlinga1586
carriage1589
pursuita1631
throughing1638
pursuance1642
persecution1647
transaction1655
pursual1878
follow-up1904
follow-through1918
1545 Bp. S. Gardiner Let. 5 Nov. (1933) 173 He renounced his opinion to the Kynges Majestye and promysed to recant, not at my sute, persecution, or prosecution.
1567 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 529 Proceding still in the prosequutioun of that rychtuous querrell.
1589 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1881) 1st Ser. IV. 440 The prosequutioun of hir jornay.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 701 The same deuises, diligence, labour, prosecution, and obseruations, are to bee vsed in thee hunting of the Boare.
1682 Modest Enq. Election Sheriffs London 13 The Design, in prosecution whereof, they are so zealous.
1747 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) V. 142 For the present to lay aside the prosecution of the intended Expedition.
1801 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1800 Misc. Tracts 244/1 At Anoopsheher I recruited the necessary supplies for the prosecution of my journey.
1852 H. Rogers Eclipse of Faith 198 In the prosecution of their object.
1884 Manch. Examiner 22 May 5/2 Nothing was to be gained by the further prosecution of the war.
1939 Brit. Jrnl. Tuberculosis 33 148 An unprecedented wealth of material for the prosecution of their..researches.
1983 Christian Sci. Monitor (Nexis) 18 Apr. 23 A greater burden devolved upon the Army for prosecution of the conflict.
2000 Observer 18 June (Review section) 11/6 The seizure of the Enigma codebooks was..among the crucial episodes in Britain's prosecution of the war.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adverb] > after, afterwards, or later
sitheneOE
aftereOE
sithOE
eftOE
latterOE
aftOE
sithencea1170
sithrec1175
thereup?c1225
baftc1275
furtherc1290
eftsoon1297
therewithala1300
afterwardc1300
afterwardsc1300
soc1300
therewithc1369
eftersoonsa1400
suingly?a1425
at after1425
followingly?c1425
afterhand1438
syne1489
by posteriority1523
in sequel1524
still1526
later1527
subsequently1537
senthis?1553
lately1565
subsequent1568
behindc1600
sequelarly1600
posterior1628
in prosecutiona1641
subsequentiallya1683
artera1746
posteriorly1799
ulteriorly1818
later on1829
the world > time > duration > [noun] > long duration or lasting through time > lengthening in duration or prolonging > a continuation
pursuita1393
remanenta1500
continuance1552
continuation1580
prosecutiona1641
rolling1800
a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) iv. 255 Antipater his eldest son, of whom we shall heare much in prosecution.
a1672 Earl of Sandwich tr. A. A. Barba Art of Metals (1674) ii. 64 (heading) In prosecution of the Chapter foregoing.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 454/1 This Chapter is a prosecution of the latter end of the foregoing.
a. Effort (esp. through legal action) to obtain or get possession of something. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > [noun] > attempt to obtain
purchasec1330
suitc1475
captation1523
prosecution1564
the mind > possession > acquisition > [noun] > by care or effort > ability to be > effort to obtain
prosecution1564
1564 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. 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.
1587 E. Hake Oration conteyning Expostulation sig. D.i The gracelesse prosecution of some daungerous and abortiue Title.
1628 W. Prynne Briefe Suruay Mr. Cozens 41 These are so taken vp with..the eager prosecution of some fat Benefice.
b. The action of pursuing or following a person, etc.; a pursuit or chase; (also) hunting. Also figurative. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > [noun] > pursuit
chase1297
suitc1300
pursuita1387
chasingc1440
prosecution1567
dogging1611
pursuement1615
followinga1649
pursuance1648
pursual1797
1567 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 530 The prosequutioun of the committaris of the said cruell murthour.
1582 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1880) 1st Ser. III. 53 In the prosequutioun of the saidis thevis and brokin men.
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie iii. xvi. 147 Dogges of Prosequution: as Beagles, Terriers, and such like.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. xv. 65 When I should see behinde me Th' ineuitable prosecution of disgrace and horror. View more context for this quotation
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar Exhort. §16 Let us therefore press after Jesus, as Elisha did after his Master, with an inseparable prosecution, even whithersoever he goes.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > [noun] > action of investigating
vesteyinga1425
exquisitionc1430
investigationa1450
inspect1490
exploration1544
prosecution1564
indagation1583
investigating1598
searchant1635
explorement1646
eyeballing1959
security check1970
1564 E. Grindal Serm. Funeral Prince Ferdinandus sig. A.iijv Of such like exhortacio[n] to prepare against death, the scriptures are most full, & so plaine, that this part needeth no long prosecution.
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 300 My purpose was onely to touch the heads of things, reseruing my selfe to heereafter for the particular prosecution.
1659 T. Bushell (title) Abridgement of the Lord Chancellor Bacon's philosophical theory in mineral prosecutions.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) 1 It is not here seasonable to make a large prosecution of the particular instances.
1707 J. Witty First Princ. Mod. Deism Confuted 234 But from what has already been offer'd any particular large prosecution of this Head is intirely superseded.
1770 W. Jones Remarks on Confessional iv. 110 (heading) The Author's Manner and Language in the prosecution of his subject, compared with some other Writings against the Polity and Doctrines of the Church of England.
4. Law.
a. The instituting and conducting of legal proceedings against a person or persons in respect of a criminal charge; an instance of this. Also: the instituting and conducting of legal proceedings in pursuit of a claim (sometimes regarded as an irregular use).In technical language, prosecution denotes the initial presentation of a criminal charge against a person before a court of justice, rather than any part of the subsequent action.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > accusation, allegation, or indictment > [noun]
wrayingc1000
indictment1303
accusationa1382
information1387
appeaching1401
allegeancea1430
supposal1429
accuse?a1439
appealing1440
ditingc1440
indictingc1440
detection1471
cusing1488
indictament1523
arraigning1533
denouncement1544
arraignment1549
raignment1570
delation1578
denunciation1588
prosecution1590
accusement1596
inditure1614
aggravation1626
arraign1638
delating1820
billing1884
beef1928
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > [noun] > litigation or going to law
pleadingc1275
suita1325
suing1440
persecution1466
processing1478
lawingc1485
prosecution1590
litigation1661
soliciting1709
impleading1878
1590 Visitation Diocese Chester in Chetham Misc. (1875) V. 12 Now they taking aduantage and courage to themselues by these..proceedings..bringing vs in question at the assises and sessions, for these matters of inconformitie:..We feele not a more grieuous smart by the prosecucons of those whome wee hold for reuerend fathers.
1593 R. Cosin Apol. for Sundrie Proc. (rev. ed.) viii. 72 Is it not vsuall with them [sc. judges],..without any enditement or other prosecution of partie, to call such supposed offender vnto examination before them?
a1640 P. Massinger Beleeue as you List (1976) iii. i. 51 [They] commit vnto your abler trust the prosecution of this impostor.
1675 in P. H. Brown Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1911) 3rd Ser. IV. 660 Except what he may obtean by prosecution of ane action of improbation.
1715 London Gaz. No. 5298/3 Prosecutions..concerning unaccustomed and Prohibited Goods.
1769 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. 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.].
1817 W. Selwyn Abridgem. 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.
1891 Spectator 13 June 822/2 To cow men into silence by threats of prosecution.
1923 Glasgow Herald 10 Oct. 7/1 Licenceless owners will make themselves liable to prosecution if discovered by the Post Office inspectors.
1978 Audubon Mar. 111/2 Hooper was tripped up by former clients who testified rather than face prosecution.
1992 New Republic 11 May 44/ 1 High-ranking officials escaped prosecution while numerous small fry were imprisoned.
2004 Times Lit. Suppl. 3 Sept. 23/1 Before the nineteenth century, domestic violence did not usually result in prosecution.
b. The party instituting or conducting legal proceedings against someone in a lawsuit. Chiefly with the.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > accusation, allegation, or indictment > [noun] > one who accuses of crime > the prosecution
Reg.1622
king1675
queen1713
Reginaa1715
rexa1715
crown1725
prosecution1746
state1783
people1801
1746 Proc. Sessions of Peace London & Middlesex i. 281/1 There will be no occasion for us, who are concerned in behalf of the Prosecution, to say any thing by way of Aggravation of the Crime for which the Prisoner has been indicted.
1796 J. Warren Trial Bishop of Bangor 8 Mr Warren then opened the case on behalf of the prosecution.
1874 A. Trollope Phineas Redux II. xxvii. 213 Such error on the part of the prosecution in regard to the alleged guilt of the prisoner.
1888 Battle Creek (Mich.) Jrnl. 7 Mar. The prosecution stated that it would be impossible to secure a conviction in either case.
1891 Daily News 30 Sept. 2/5 [He] contended that..two of the prosecution witnesses had really favoured the case of the defendant.
1931 W. Faulkner Sanctuary xxvii. 324 Can the prosecution show how this question is relevant?
1967 Atlantic Reporter 2nd Ser. 223 703/1 Plea bargaining between the prosecution and the defense is a frequently resorted to technique.
2004 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 25 June c3/3 Many lawyers not involved in that case..said the prosecution had brought too many charges.
c. Director of Public Prosecutions n. an English law officer (now head of the Crown Prosecution Service) appointed by the Attorney General to oversee the instituting and conducting of criminal proceedings in the public interest; cf. public prosecutor n. at public adj. and n. Compounds 1b.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal profession > lawyer > [noun] > state or public law officers > state or public prosecutor
quaestora1387
promoter1485
fiscal1539
actor1598
fisc1732
public prosecutor1750
district attorney1856
Director of Public Prosecutions1879
procurator1917
D.A.1934
D.P.P.1942
1879 Act 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.
1884 Act 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.
1902 L. L. Shadwell in Encycl. Brit. XXVIII. 1/2 The director of public prosecutions attends the trial [of election petitions] personally or by representative.
1962 Listener 15 Mar. 459/2 Warrants of this kind would be normally executed by special branch officers acting under the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
2004 H. Kennedy Just Law (2005) xiii. 262 Already the Director of Public Prosecutions has expressed a willingness to disclose and use evidence in telephone taps in court.
5. The carrying out, performance, or practice of a pursuit, occupation, craft, etc.; an instance of this. Now archaic (chiefly in formal use).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > practice, exercise, or doing > [noun]
workingOE
hauntinga1325
exercise1393
occupation1432
exercite1485
practicec1487
function1576
exercitation1579
extent1594
gestion1599
prosecution1605
carrying1711
1605 Denmylne MSS in J. R. N. Macphail Highland Papers (1920) III. 108 The prosequutioun of ȝour maiesteis seruice in the Yllis by suche meanis as we thoght..least grevous.
1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments To Rdr. 7 In the prosequution of this businesse.
1707 J. Addison Present State War (1708) 1 Their Prosecutions of Commerce, and Pursuits of Universal Monarchy.
1782 J. H. St. J. de Crèvecoeur Lett. from Amer. Farmer iv. 147 Each seeks in the prosecution of his lawful business that honest gain which supports them.
1823 W. Scoresby Jrnl. Voy. Northern Whale-fishery p. xv The original design of the voyage..was the prosecution of the Whale-Fishery.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 76/2 Well calculated for the successful prosecution of ostreoculture.
1931 J. G. Crowther Outl. of Universe p. xiv The proper scientific journalist should devote the whole of his intellectual energy to the prosecution of his craft.
2002 Advisor Today (Nexis) Aug. 55 If one..was unable to perform the substantial and material acts or duties necessary to the prosecution of one's business or occupation.., one was considered totally disabled.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > [noun] > persecution
cravinga1300
warrayinga1300
persecutionc1350
persecutionc1384
pursuita1387
persecuting1543
dragooning1691
prosecution1702
dragonnadesa1715
hounding1887
dragoonage1894
witch-hunting1918
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iii. 177 An Instance of as great Animosity, and Indirect Prosecution,..as can be given.
1759 D. Hume Hist. Eng. under House of Tudor II. ii. 491 Requiring him..to desist from the farther prosecution of his Queen's party.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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