| 释义 |
pursuev. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French pursure, pursivre, porsure, porsivre. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman pursure, purseure, pursueiere, pursuer, pursuere, porsure, poursuier, poursuer, poursuir, etc., also pursivre, pursievir, poursivir, porsivre, etc., and Old French porsure, porsuir, poursuire, Middle French poursuir, poursuyr, etc., also Old French porsivre, porsivre, Old French, Middle French poursivir, poursievir, Middle French poursuivir, poursuivre, etc. (French poursuivre ) to follow (a person, animal, or thing) with intent to overtake and capture (c1160), to persecute (c1170), to strive for (a circumstance, event, condition, etc.) (1188), to besiege (late 12th cent. or earlier), to accompany, escort (a person) (c1200), to carry on to the end, to accomplish (c1200), to pester (a person) in order to obtain something (c1228), (of misfortune, etc.) to assail persistently (late 13th cent.), to follow up (a course of action begun) (c1250), to seek to obtain (something) through a court of law (1255), (in law) to bring an action against (a person) (1271), to proceed along (a path, etc.) (c1274), to investigate, study (14th cent. or earlier), ultimately < classical Latin prōsequī prosecute v., although greatly influenced semantically by classical Latin persequī persecute v. and its reflexes: Anglo-Norman persuer, Anglo-Norman and Middle French persuir, Old French and Middle French parsuir , variants of Anglo-Norman parsivir , Anglo-Norman and Old French parsivre , Old French and Middle French parsuivre , etc., to follow (a person, animal, or thing) with intent to overtake and capture (first half of the 12th cent. in Anglo-Norman), to search out (a thing) (first half of the 12th cent. in Anglo-Norman), to persecute (first half of the 12th cent.), to complete (c1100 in Anglo-Norman), to carry out. to accomplish (c1250), to carry on, to continue (1267), to conform to, to comply with (13th cent. in an isolated attestation), to prosecute (an affair in law) (1536). The γ. forms show the formal influence of the Anglo-Norman and Middle French forms in per- . With the ε. forms compare pro- prefix1.Compare Old Occitan persegre, perseguir (c1150; Occitan persègre, persiègre, perseguir), Catalan perseguir, prosseguir (both second half of the 13th cent.), Spanish perseguir, proseguir (both c1236), Portuguese perseguir (14th cent.), Italian proseguire (c1300), perseguire (a1313). I. To follow or go in pursuit (chiefly involving physical movement). †1. the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being harassed > harass [verb (transitive)] the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > make hostile approach to the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > persecute the mind > emotion > hatred > hostility > show hostility to [verb (transitive)] > follow with hostility or enmity c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) 945 in C. Horstmann (1887) 133 Ȝwane..luþere men pursiweden [a1325 Corpus Cambr. porsuede; c1300 Harl. pursuede] me; louerd, min help þov beo! c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring (1891) cviii. 15 (MED) He ne had nouȝt in mynde to do mercy And pursued þe gode man, þe mesays, and þe biggeand. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds ix. 4 Saul, Saul, what pursuest thou me?..I am Jhesu of Nazareth, whom thou pursuest. ?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif (1880) 211 Ȝit feyned religious men pursuen pore prestis to prison & to brennynge bi many cursed lesyngis & sclaundrynge, priue & apert. a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk (Gough) (1905) 164 (MED) Heritykes yn þe begynnyng of þe holy chirch pursuet holy popes, martyres, and confessores to þe deth. 1526 W. Bonde iii. sig. FFvii Loue your enemyes..pray for them that persueth you. a1547 H. Howard tr. Virgil Aeneid iv, in (1928) 183 Tyrians, ye his stocke & all his race Pursue with hate! 1605 in C. P. Stewart (1870) 114 Jhone Stewart..hes at deuers tymes heirto persew them in thair leffis. 1693 S. Pepys in H. Ellis (1843) (Camden) 212 To pursue you in the matter of the Prints soe farr beyond what in good manners I..would have done. 1750 S. Johnson No. 79. ⁋12 Those may justly be pursued as enemies to the community of nature. 1855 H. H. Milman IV. ix. viii. 199 To expel, or worse, to pursue to death a large part..of their subjects. 1897 5 Apr. 3/1 The unique spectacle of a society pursued to death from within and without. c1450 (1904) I. 158 Þe Romans..rase & pursewid opon hym &..wold hafe slane hym. 1480 W. Caxton clxiv. 148 Kyng edward..ordeyned men to pursue vpon hym—and dauyd ferselich hym defended. c1500 New Notborune Mayd in E. Rimbault (1842) 33 Yet yf that shrewe To hym pursue. c1540 (?a1400) 2773 That shalbe choisly your charge..With all your mightes..to pursew On hom þat hir holdis. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie (1888) I. 283 Heir followis scharp Weiris, betuein Jngland and Scotland, the ane persewis, the vther defendis. society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > seek vengeance for (an injury) 1570 in J. Cranstoun (1891) I. xxiii. 111 Thocht thair war nane his deith that wald persew, The michtie God he wald Reuenge his blude. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. i. 109 That with such vehemency he should pursue Faults proper to himselfe. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil 142 No vulgar God Pursues thy Crimes, nor with a Common Rod. View more context for this quotation 2. the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow [verb (transitive)] > pursue society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > advance to attack c1300 St. Brendan (Laud) 411 in C. Horstmann (1887) 231 (MED) A gret fisch..after þe schipe..drouȝ; he cam wolchi after ase an hous and porsiwede [a1325 Corpus Cambr. porsude; a1350 Ashm. pursiwede] heom so faste. a1375 (c1350) (1867) 2402 (MED) Al þe puple was passed to pursue þe best. a1382 (Bodl. 959) 4 Kings xxv. 5 Þe host of caldeis pursuedyn þe kyng & he cauȝte hym in þe pleyne of Jericho. ?a1425 (Egerton) (1889) 30 Kyng Pharao persued [?a1425 Titus chaced; Fr. chaceoit] þam. c1450 (Harl. 6580) (1933) 54 (MED) As lyghtnynge brennynge hylles, so schal thou pursue hem, that es to sey, thyn enmys. a1500 in R. H. Robbins (1952) 47 (MED) Me must with a wyld best mell..A bore so bryme þat me pursued. 1531 T. Elyot iii. x. sig. bvi Fabius beinge painefull in pursuinge Anniball from place to place. 1560 Psalms lxxi. 11 Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliuer him. 1577 R. Stanyhurst Hist. Irelande iii. 78/1 in R. Holinshed I Kildare pursuing Ormond to the Chapiter house dore, vndertooke on hys honor, that hee should receyue no villanie. 1606 in A. Shearer (1951) 28 To have passit over the hedge and persewit him. 1629 tr. Herodian (1635) 273 If they be driven to fly, or pursue the enemie, their long loose garments are a maine let to them. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 105 Boreas in his Race..with impetuous roar Pursues the foaming Surges to the Shoar. View more context for this quotation 1708 15 Mar. 2/2 There is a Person..lately pursued with Hue-en-cry throughout Connecticut Colony, for some Crime by him committed. 1783 W. Cowper 1 Here lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue, Nor swifter greyhound follow. 1841 M. Elphinstone I. iii. xi. 363 In a dry country a bare foot leaves little print to common eyes; but one of these people..will pursue a robber by these vestiges for a distance that seems incredible. 1874 J. R. Green viii. vii To rout their other wing of horse as it returned breathless from pursuing the Scots. 1926 D. H. Lawrence ix. 156 Suddenly he would be up, with a convulsion of murder in his face, pursuing his adversary with a stone. 1950 ‘C. S. Forester’ p. x The battleship ahead would know that the little sloop was being pursued. 1989 Dec. 79/1 Bob..pursues Ruth to her waiting cab, clutching a towel around his waist. 2004 6 Aug. 16/3 Lempicka became the femme fatale , pursuing a succession of lovers of either sex. the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow behind [verb (intransitive)] > pursue a1375 (c1350) (1867) 2196 (MED) Þe puple þanne porsewed forþ, & of here prey þei missed. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vii. 4287 The womman fleth and he poursuieth. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (1957) i. vii. 92 At ȝondir part the Troianys tak the flycht..Achillis in hys chair Persewand strangly [L. instaret]. c1540 (?a1400) 4686 The Grekes on þe grounde grymly pursueyt. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie (1888) I. 91 In swiftnes of fute..athir quhen the ennimie flies to follow, or quhen the ennimie persues to flie. 1611 Prov. xxviii. 1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth . View more context for this quotation 1694 C. Hopkins tr. 23 So the swift Greyhound, when his Game he views, With eager stretch, o're all the Plain pursues. 1757 T. Gray Ode I i. iii, in 7 Now pursuing, now retreating, Now in circling troops. 1800 J. Cobb iii. i. 71 Steady our charge—it follows quick our fire; Now we pursue, their broken ranks retire. 1853 M. Arnold Scholar Gipsy in (new ed.) 214 Far on the forest-skirts, where none pursue. 1883 R. L. Stevenson ii. 15 I saw Black Dog in full flight, and the captain hotly pursuing, both with drawn cutlasses. 1903 ‘O. Henry’ in July 584/2 The rangers mounted and pursued, but in less than two miles..Lieutenant Manning gave the word to abandon the chase. 1991 A. D. Foster ii. 24 Each time she had tried to pursue, it had fled. the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow [verb (transitive)] > pursue a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 77 Boþe Cristen men and mysbileved men gadrede hem to gidres..and pursued after [?a1475 anon. tr. pursewede] þe Grees. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xix. 158 Peter..pursued [c1400 C text porsuede] after Bothe iames & Iohan, Ihesu for to seke. c1425 (?a1400) (Longleat 55) 574 (MED) Þan fled he to Wynchester..And Arthour on gret haste Pursywed after hym faste. c1450 (a1425) (Selden) 1816 (MED) Pharo..commawndyd all men..aftur þat pepyll forto persew. 1560 Exod. xiv. 9 And the Egyptians pursued after them. 1611 Josh. x. 19 And stay you not, but pursue after your enemies. View more context for this quotation 1655 T. Fuller ix. 192 Left to be pursued after by hunger and cold. 1725 W. Douglas i. 25 When we were not seeking after him, but flying from him, then did he in a Manner pursue after us. 1766 H. Brooke I. v. 172 To take every horse he had..and to pursue after the fugitives. 1815 J. Cottle xxii. 399 Saul recalled, from pursuing after David, by the advance of the Philistines. 1835 R. M. Bird II. vii. 68 He was still pursuing after his mistress, and had nearly reached the park-gate, when his ear was saluted by a piercing scream from behind. 1923 54 122 He..leaves the body of Patroclus, and pursues after Automedon and the immortal horses. 1952 P. Wheeler tr. 45 Pursuing after him to the Level-Pass-of-the-Land-of-Night, and gazing on him from afar, Brave-Swift-Impetuous-Male called out to him. 1960 24 Feb. 7/2 Oxford did not achieve its eminence by hurrying, panting, and pursuing after Cambridge. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xi. 61 Þanne was fortune my foo..And pouerte pursued [c1400 C text pursuwede] me and put me lowe. 1567 (1897) 79 Ay quhen temptatioun dois zow persew. 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher iv. ii. 25 So went to bed; where eagerly his sicknesse Pursu'd him still. View more context for this quotation 1698 J. Fryer 261 The worst inconvenience that pursued us. 1724 T. Cibber (ed. 2) v. i. 53 May all the bitter Pangs of a rack'd Conscience Pursue me here. 1784 J. Wesley 6 Sept. (1931) VII. 236 So no ignominy pursues either the living or the dead, and self-murder increases daily. 1843 G. Borrow I. viii. 136 The cold still pursued me. 1895 S. D. F. Salmond vi. iii. 647 The penalties of a selfish life and wasted opportunity pursue one beyond death. 1930 L. P. Shanks p. vii Certainly Baudelaire was a poète maudit, pursued by the disaster which pursued his fellow-poet Edgar Poe. 1991 R. May ii. vi. 98 Many drivers look as though pursued by an inner loneliness hurrying some place but never knowing where that place is. society > communication > writing > [verb (transitive)] > describe in writing the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > watch or observe > follow with eyes society > leisure > the arts > literature > art or occupation of writer or author > be the author of or write (a work) [verb (transitive)] > express in written work or write about 1558 T. Phaer tr. Virgil vi. sig. P.iv They..went in skye So far as eies of man coud them pursue. a1637 B. Jonson Under-woods 186 in (1640) III He..doth hire a man To take the box up for him; and pursues The Dice with glassen eyes. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil 122 The Gifts of Heav'n my foll'wing Song pursues . View more context for this quotation 1712 J. Addison No. 453. ¶18 Through every Period of my Life Thy Goodness I'll pursue. 1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford 114 The fond Monarch pursued her with his eyes, till she was gone out of sight. 1814 F. Burney IV. vii. lxvi. 140 Harleigh durst not follow; but he pursued her with his eyes. 1883 F. M. Peard vii Said Lady Molyneux, pursuing them with her eye-glass. 1903 J. M. Rigg tr. G. Boccaccio I. iii. 192 The friar..reproved him for so haunting and pursuing the lady with his gaze. 1975 C. E. Funnell (1983) 14 Eager and guileful eyes pursued the gullible tourist as he enjoyed his unwary recreations. 2005 94 1385 Other neurons specified at a later time the command to pursue the target with the eyes. †3. society > authority > subjection > service > servant > retainer or follower > be a retainer or follower of [verb (transitive)] the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > succeed or follow [verb (transitive)] a1375 (c1350) (1867) 2474 (MED) Al þe puple..þat him porsewed hadde, gretliche þonked god. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xi. 14 Þanne hadde fortune folwyng hir two faire damoyseles, Concupiscencia-carnes..And coueytise-of-eyes..Pryde-of-parfyte-lyuynge pursued [c1400 C text pursewede] hem bothe. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 120 Schyr Ihon the Grayme,..To Laynrik come gud Wallace to persew. a1500 (c1477) T. Norton (BL Add.) (1975) 644 (MED) He remembrede..How grettir fame shuld him pursewe If he myght make that brigge so bright. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. xii. 25 Fortune pursue thee. View more context for this quotation 1658 J. Bramhall iv. 74 Here we see..how al things do pursue one another. 1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Meleager & Atalanta in 117 My Son requires my Death, and mine shall his pursue. 1789 W. Gilpin (ed. 2) 119 Grand woody promontories, pursuing each other, all rich to profusion. 1831 29 307 Thunderbolts pursue the pell-mell of the panic. 1876 ‘G. Eliot’ IV. vii. li. 37 I delivered you from the pelting contempt that pursues Jewish separateness. the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > ensue or come next [verb (intransitive)] > follow in order or sequence society > authority > subjection > service > servant > retainer or follower > be a retainer or follower [verb (intransitive)] 1485 VI. 332/2 The Dede and Fyne, wherof the tenoure persueth. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) iv. l. 197 He thaim comandyt ay next him to persew, For he thaim kend rycht hardye, wis and trew. 1508 (Chepman & Myllar) sig. dii*v Heir I mak yow ane grant..Ay to your presence to persew with al my seruice. ?1529 R. Hyrde tr. J. L. Vives sig. iv The lesse that he sought for honour, ye more hit pursued vpon hym. 1558 T. Phaer tr. Virgil vi. sig. Q.i He voyd of feare doth stalking her pursewe at elbowe fast. 1688 R. Holme i. i. 2 Lest..scandal do arise and effusion of blood do persue. 4. society > communication > reading > [verb (transitive)] > from beginning to end the world > action or operation > behaviour > follow (a course of behaviour) [verb (transitive)] society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct (one's course, steps, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > follow (a path or course) c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds xxii. 4 I pursuede [L. persecutus sum] this wey til to the deeth. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vi. 1332 (MED) The Scole which Honorius Wrot, he poursuieth..Magique he useth forto winne His love. a1505 R. Henryson Orpheus & Eurydice 17 in (1981) 132 The grete lordis..sett thair hert..Thair fadirs steppis iustly to persewe. a1573 W. Lauder (1870) 21 Quho list the Storie of Achab to persew. 1638 F. Junius 120 They could not choose but chearefully pursue the same way of Art. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 109 We too far the pleasing Path pursue . View more context for this quotation 1709 R. Steele No. 97. ⁋2 To consider what Course of Life he ought to pursue. 1788 T. Jefferson (1859) II. 369 I..shall pursue the course of the Rhine as far as the roads will permit me. 1827 J. F. Cooper I. xvii. 244 The Doctor had pursued his curvilinear course. 1853 E. K. Kane iv. 32 Our little vessel pursued her way without drawback. 1895 F. Thilly tr. F. Paulsen i. i. 59 Natural scientists..are inclined to pursue the former path. 1958 W. S. Bristowe xix. 256 The unhesitating route pursued by the orb-webbed spiders in the course of completing their webs. 1986 Fall 232 Those modern writers who..pursue a way which does not make an enemy of the usages of the past. 2006 (Nexis) 14 May c4 Virginia's Democratic Senate candidates are pursuing strikingly different paths to their showdown next month. society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] c1400 (?c1380) (1920) 1177 (MED) He pursued into Palastyn wyth proude men mony. a1513 W. Dunbar (1998) I. 235 In to ȝour garthe this day I did persew. c1540 (?a1400) 4853 All þis wale pepull Are comyn to this cost..And pursuyt to þis prouynse in purpos to venge Of harmys. 1651 Poem in T. Fuller 386 Those weighty words which pleasantly pursu'd Out of his mouth. 1652 R. Loveday tr. G. de Costes de La Calprenède iii. 189 But we pursued on our way, resigning our selves to the protection and guidance of the Gods. c1800 G. Cumberland (1991) ii. viii. 137 We all prostrated ourselves on the sod, and repeating after him the prayer of our Lord, we again pursued on our way. 1866 W. Gregor (Philol. Soc.) 136 He pursued up the brae. †5. society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct (one's course, steps, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > be bound for or head for 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 190 Than Cartlane craggis thai persewit full fast. ?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in (1998) I. 53 All my luffaris lele my luging persewis. a1513 W. Dunbar Tabill of Confessioun in (1998) I. 270 To keipe the festuall and the fasting day, The mes on Sonday, the parroche kirk persew. 1611 T. Heywood ii. sig. D3v Dianae's Cloyster I will next pursue. 1681 J. Dryden 27 Here stop my Muse, here cease thy painful flight; No Pinions can pursue Immortal height. society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > besiege or blockade [verb (transitive)] 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 498 Sotheroun merueld giff it suld be Wallace, With-out souerance come to persew that place. 1547 in J. H. Burton (1877) 1st Ser. I. 81 Our auld ynemeis intendis to cum and persew the said house..to recover the samyn furth of the said lordis handis. 1583 in D. Masson (1880) 1st Ser. III. 567 A greit nowmer of wickit and seditious personis..persewit the houssis of the provest and ane of the baillies. 1610 in R. Pitcairn (1833) III. 105 Ȝea..invadit and persewit the said schip. c1650 J. Spalding (1850) I. 23 Thay perseuit the hous most furiouslie. II. Extended uses. 6. the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] the mind > will > intention > intend [verb (transitive)] > have as purpose or object the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > aspiration or ambition > aspire to or to do [verb (transitive)] society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > claim at law > [verb (transitive)] a1382 (Bodl. 959) Esther ix. 10 Whom whan þei hadden slayn, þei wolden not pursuen [1425 Corpus Oxf. take; L. tangere] preyys of þe substauncis of hem. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vii. 2061 (MED) In Rome, to poursuie his riht, Ther was a worthi povere kniht. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 204 (MED) I haue spoken of..oþer yles þat ben more furthere beȝonde, Whoso wil pursuen hem for to comen aȝen right to the parties þat he cam fro. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) i. 1892 (MED) Womme [read Wommen]..be nat content with vnite; Þei pursue ay for pluralite. a1464 J. Capgrave (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 101 Þe pope comaunded him..þat he schuld porsewe his rite. a1538 T. Starkey (1989) 5 For ever that wych ys best ys not of al men..to be persuyd. 1594 T. Kyd tr. R. Garnier iii. iii. 83 He murdred Pompey that pursu'd his death. 1611 Psalms xxxiv. 14 Seeke peace and pursue it. View more context for this quotation 1631 T. Drue iii. sig. E1 Savage men, That with blood-thirstinesse pursue our deaths. 1712 R. Steele No. 462. ⁋4 He pursued Pleasure more than Ambition. 1774 O. Goldsmith 40 Too fond of the right to pursue the expedient. 1833 H. W. Longfellow xiii Behold of what delusive worth The bubbles we pursue on earth. 1874 W. B. Carpenter (1879) i. vii. 318 The mind instinctively pursues what is pleasurable. 1935 G. Santayana iii. i. 296 Reformers blindly pursued something else, which if realised would probably be worthless. 1999 (Nexis) 29 June a9 Barak's choice is between pursuing peace at home or peace abroad. the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] > to do something c1400 (a1376) W. Langland (Trin. Cambr. R.3.14) (1960) A. v. 75 (MED) To apeire hym be my power I pursuide [v.rr. pursued, pursewed, pursuyed, persewed] wel ofte. c1450 J. Lydgate Dietary (Sloane) 39 in (1918) 42 186 (MED) Wherfore y kouncell þe pursiew alle thy lyve To lyf in peeas. a1500 in R. H. Robbins (1952) 169 (MED) But to pursieu restored for to be, I haue non haste. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. ccxxix. 308 People and men of warre, that wolde pursue to go into Castell. 1574 B. Rich sig. F8 The besieged are sometymes beguyled by signifying unto them some victory gotten, as did Pelopidas of Thebes,..pursuing to conquer two Townes at one instant of the Magnecians. a1586 H. Balnaves Advice Gallandis 105 in W. A. Craigie (1919) I Gif ȝe persew To hwnt at euerie beist Ȝe will it rew. the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)] a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1969) Isa. Prol. l. 14 Alle þe mysteries of cristis & þe chirche..he pursuede. c1450 ( J. Walton tr. Boethius (Linc. Cathedral 103) 210 (MED) Of so hye a mater for to trete As after þis myn auctour doth pursue..my wittes ben vnmete. 1569 E. Fenton tr. P. Boaistuau f. 115 Maximilianus Transsiluanus Gesnerus, pursuing the histories of this birthe, addeth yet that whiche foloweth. 1614 W. Raleigh i. iii. ix. §1. 107 It is not my purpose..to pursue the Historie of the Persians..otherwise then as they shall bee incident to the affaires of Greece. 1789 F. Burney (2016) V. 148 I..would have taken refuge in some other topic: but he seemed bent upon pursuing his own. 1891 R. Routledge (ed. 8) 673 The reader who desires to pursue this subject may be referred to Croll's book on Stellar Evolution. 1939 Nov. 98/3 It was a result of road experience that the motive-power department pursued the subject of water conditioning. 2006 30 Aug. 23 Betty is intrigued..and is willing to put aside her dreams to pursue this mystery. 8. society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > [verb (transitive)] > lay before court society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > carry on or institute (an action) [verb (transitive)] society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > accusation, allegation, or indictment > charge, accuse, or indict [verb (transitive)] > bring (a charge or accusation) 1384 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 26 (MED) So they diden pursuwe thynges a-yeins the Franchise of london for euer. ?a1424 in C. L. Kingsford (1919) I. 35 (MED) Osebarn and Cassy have pursued a new writ of quare impedit aȝeyns J. Golafre..and þe incumbent. 1478 3/1 Þe accioun and cause persewit be William of Cavers..on þe ta part again Andro broun..one þe tother part. 1530–1 c. 12 The moytee thereof to be to him that pursueth the informacion for the same. 1606 in C. S. Romanes (1914) I. 17 His former defences gevein in against the libell of removing persewit be Jhon Andersone agains him. 1686 in H. Paton (1932) 3rd Ser. XIII. 29 Where still ther was proces by way of declarator perseued. 1747 202 Having considered the criminal Libel, pursued at the Instance of William Grant of Prestongrange, Esq. 1754 J. Erskine II. iii. viii. §15 Wives who ex reverentia maritali, forbear to pursue actions competent to them against their husbands. 1796 23 While Lord Breadalbane and Ulbster had in their person a feudal right to the subject..they were entitled to pursue any real action respecting these lands which they thought proper. 1827 27 Apr. 3/5 Such documents, and other evidence, as would enable him to pursue an action of ejectment in a Court of law. 1857 R. Phillimore III. xi. iv. 584 The proceedings in England are exclusively carried on by the officers of the Government; and no other persons can interfere to support or pursue a suit, where they do not consent. 1900 3 Jan. 5/7 Would he care to pursue an action to compel a company to continue the supply of current at 100 volts? 1956 P. O'Brian ii. 30 A gentleman who had almost ruined himself by pursuing three law-suits at once. 1982 D. Dunn in D. Nimmo & M. W. Mansfield viii. 193 The court has indicated that private individuals must prove negligence..to successfully pursue a libel action. 1992 24 June 7/3 Pfeiffer is pursuing a suit to force the agency to release the scholar's history of the Bay of Pigs invasion. the world > action or operation > continuing > following up, through, or prosecution > follow up, through, or out [verb (transitive)] a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vi. 2406 (MED) So ne wol I noght poursuie, Mi lust of love forto seche. c1440 S. Scrope tr. C. de Pisan (St. John's Cambr.) (1970) 55 Yf he haue begonne a debate folily, it is bettire for him to leve it and to make pees than to pursewe it. a1525 in W. A. Craigie (1923) I. 205/9 Thare..wikit deidis..as thai haue euermar persewit vnto this day. c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cxv. 21 in (1998) II. 185 Israel pursue Thy trust in god. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie (1888) I. 191 Thay drew to pairties, and began to pe [r] sew the mater wt swordes. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. ii. 70 I cannot pursue with any safety this sport the vppeshot. View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Dryden iv. 50 This is the folly of a bleeding Gamester, who will obstinately pursue a losing hand. 1703 tr. ‘A Civilian at Vienna’ v. 129 Tis his part with the Assistance of the Empire..to pursue his Claim to the whole Succession as the undoubted Heir. 1736 T. Lediard I. 99 The Earl was resolved to pursue this good Success. 1759 S. Johnson I. xxv. 154 The princess persues her enquiry. 1802 E. Forster tr. III. 138 The brothers then pursued their journey. 1813 J. Austen II. vii. 85 The subject was pursued no farther. View more context for this quotation 1845 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke (ed. 2) II. 213 They determined to pursue the matter legally before the judges. 1891 R. Routledge (ed. 8) 480 If M. Bourseul had but pursued his experiments a little longer, he would not improbably have achieved the invention of the speaking telephone. 1926 20 884 Things..which he views with regret, are really necessities if debate is not to be pursued to the point of nauseation. 1954 G. Smith v. 45 This seemed such an extraordinary answer that I should have liked to pursue the matter farther, but something warned me that she found the subject unpalatable. 1992 June 47/1 University astronomy departments couldn't afford to hire radio engineers to pursue this discovery. 2006 (Nexis) 17 Nov. r6 His boss, M,..wants him to disappear, but Bond..decides to pursue the case alone. the world > action or operation > continuing > continue doing or keep going in a course of action [verb (intransitive)] a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) 2316 In armes also if thou konne, Pursue til thou a name hast wonne. c1440 S. Scrope tr. C. de Pisan (St. John's Cambr.) (1970) 77 For þem þat be in knyȝthode pursuyng [c1450 Longleat pursewyng] That schulde cause theym to haunte to mych huntyng. a1500 (c1477) T. Norton (BL Add.) (1975) 532 (MED) He..is constant in mynde to pursew, And is not ambycious..And can be pacient. a1513 W. Dunbar (1998) I. 101 Quhair did vpone the tother syd persew A nychtingall with suggurit notis new. 1582 T. Watson xciii. sig. M3 In the other two staffes following, the Authour pursueth on his matter. 1692 T. Taylor tr. G. Daniel 256 But to persue in giving you the account of my conferences. 1718 i. §33. 58 Notwithstanding this he persued on with all the Meekness of Wisdom. 1665 R. Boyle iv. x. sig. Ee1 But, (pursues Eusebius) this may supply us with another Reflection. 1725 E. F. Haywood 15 No, pursued she with a Sigh, I never will be outdone in Good-nature. 1763 F. Brooke I. 27 ‘The count and my self,’ pursued she, ‘cannot lose you without inexpressible regret.’ 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in I. 21 ‘I have buried the poor cat,’ pursued Forester. 1837 W. Whewell I. i. ii. 43 ‘Something of this’, he pursues, ‘may be seen in language.’ 1903 H. James ii. iv. 48 ‘My name's on the cover,’ Strether pursued, ‘and I'm really rather disappointed and hurt that you seem never to have heard of it.’ 1921 Jan. 3/3 ‘No,’ he replied at length. ‘No, I have not married.’ ‘Isn't that rather strange?’ pursued his friend in gentle raillery. 1981 ‘M. Innes’ vi. 48 ‘So we dine,’ Lord Mullion pursued with a hint of apology, ‘in what you might call an almost formal way.’ †9. a. Law. society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > go to law or litigate [verb (intransitive)] 1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith (1870) 71 (MED) Yei shul pursu for her Catelle in qwat cowrte yat hem liste. c1450 (1900) 29 (MED) Þe man is lettyd of his ryȝt, be-cause he may noȝt pursewe in holy cherch-lawe. 1495 c. 60 §1 The seid Hugh..[may] pursue for the recovere of the same londes by fourme doon or otherwise. 1543 ( (1812) 292 That all Scottes, and other that were pursuyng Might ther appere, their titles claymyng. 1564 in R. Renwick (1887) I. 82 He had na place to persew in jugment in respect that he is ane conventual brother. a1639 J. Spottiswood (1677) ii. 55 If they should happen to die intestate, it was made lawful to their nearest kinsmen to call and pursue for the same. 1707 in C. A. Malcolm (1931) 6 Ilk ane of them..shall have liberty to pursue for his damnages as accords in the option of his master. 1756 M. Calderwood (1842) 226 He was bred a papist, but his mother..set on the protestant heir to pursue for his estate. 1859 in 254 Though the minister was formally pursuing, yet he was substantially defending an existing possession. society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > carry on or institute (an action) [verb (transitive)] > sue or institute action against 1454–5 in J. D. Marwick (1871) 81 To send..twa or thre persons to folow and persew the defalt made to ony man..of Edynburgh. 1457–93 (Edinb. Reg. House) No. 11 We sall nocht perseu na follow be the law thir persouns. 1518 in J. Imrie et al. (1960) 47 Anent the oxin that James Ellot persewis Rechert Thirbrand of. 1580 in G. P. McNeill (1901) XXI. 548 Persewing the said Alexander for mair nor ten thousand pundis. 1643 58 The Lords of his Majesties Privy Councell have given order that Nithisdail and Aboyne be cited, and criminally pursued of high Treason. 1656 in J. A. Clyde (1938) II. 91 The master may persew ejection committed against his tenant. 1688 in (1852) I. 102 All..such Person or Persons shall be pursued with the utmost Severities and the greatest Rigor. 1705 G. Brodie Let. 5 Apr. in J. Grant (1911) 5 Bishopmiln our Shiref did purshew Baillie James Stewart in Elgin ffor wrongous imprisonment of some of the members of his court. 1770 7 Thereafter Lord Balmerino, having paid, pursued Mr Hamilton for his relief. 1876 5 8 She cannot be pursued in Germany, for there she has committed no crime. 1893 XXXIII. 403 She ‘pursued’ him in the Scottish courts in November 1703 for the sum of 500 l. the mind > language > speech > request > make a request [verb (intransitive)] > beseech or implore c1390 G. Chaucer 2884 Ye shul rather pursue to youre aduersaries for pees than they shuln to yow. a1450 (c1412) T. Hoccleve (Harl. 4866) (1897) 1848 (MED) He benyng is and demeur To sue vnto..To hym pursue, and þi releef purchace. a1500 (?c1414) 25 (MED) To thi mercy I will pursewe, Wyth ‘Ne reminiscaris, Domine!’ c1540 (?a1400) 11431 Þai..chosyn Antenor..with the grekes to trete, And pursew for pes. 1568 A. Scott (1896) xi. 7 Ȝe may wt honesty persew, Gif ȝe be constant, trest, & trew. c1600 in G. Stevenson (1910) ix. 64 Ȝe man go hence And nocht persew. the world > action or operation > continuing > following up, through, or prosecution > follow up, through, or out [verb (transitive)] > a plan, scheme, or system the world > action or operation > carrying out > observance or carrying out a promise, law, etc. > observe or carry out a promise, law, etc. [verb (transitive)] > advice, method, or principle c1390 W. Hilton Mixed Life (Vernon) in C. Horstmann (1895) I. 267 (MED) Þis charite & þis desyr þat vre lord..haþ ȝiuen to þe is for to rule & to ordeyne hou þou schalt pursue hit. ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 67v In þis case & in wondes of neruez, putteþ to glotomicum..And so persewe [?c1425 Paris folowe; L. prosequuntur] þai þe cure as afore. a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk (Gough) (1905) 48 (MED) Þerfor pursew we þe forme of holy chyrche and tell how yn hor offryng Ihesu Cryst was schewet veray God and man. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (1959) ix. i. 48 So gret takynnys..I sal persew and fallow quhat befaw. 1656 J. Bramhall vi. 241 This is not to alter the Institutions..of generall Councells..but..to tread in their stepps, and to pursue their grounds. 1719 No. 90. 2 This was the Scheme, which the Heads of the Parliament Party pursued. 1748 T. Smollett I. xiv. 106 As we were going to pursue this advice. 1769 W. Blackstone IV. viii. 109 This plan of pontificial power was so indefatigably pursued by the unwearied politics of the court of Rome. 1817 J. Mill II. v. i. 315 The following scheme was invented and pursued. 1879 Techn. Drawing in IV. 69/2 The same system is now to be pursued. 1920 A. Carnegie xvii. 230 The policy I had pursued in cases of difference with our men was that of patiently waiting. 1996 29 May (Society section) 4/4 They argued that they needed to live on the land to pursue their chosen method of agriculture. society > occupation and work > working > [verb (transitive)] c1485 ( G. Hay (2005) 112 Nocht all men yat pursewis bataill ar nocht cled, with that vertu of force. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. ccccxx. 735 I have..pursewed myne offyce, to the honoure of you and of your people. 1595 M. Drayton sig. C3 Whilst the wanton thus pursu'd his sport, Deceitfull Loue had vndermin'd the Fort. 1631 R. Sanderson II. 8 Let two men..pursue the same business, drive the same design. 1673 tr. E. de Refuge 25 When we enterprise any affair with hopes well conceived..we pursue it with all perseverance. 1713 R. Nelson 41 The Lodgings he had taken in this Place were contiguous to a Powder-Mill, where he pursued his Studies with great Assiduity for several Months. 1779 49 363 He persued..his studies, or his amusements without persecution, molestation or insult. 1831 Oct. 511 Taking of likenesses, whether of persons or places, is a good and useful trade, and, diligently pursued, deserves success like any other honest industry. 1851 A. Helps i. 3 Others may pursue science or art. 1870 Aug. 114/1 She has conscientiously set herself to pursue the studies assigned her by her teachers. 1928 (Liberal Industr. Inq.) iii. xiv. §3. 155 The Craft Unions..aim at combining men who pursue the same skilled trade, whatever industry may employ them. 1950 T. Williams iii. 106 There was some mystery in the vehemence with which she pursued her career. 1988 A. Desai ii. 51 A young man who is not pursuing his education, what chance has he in this world? 2006 June 156/2 A prized saker falcon can fetch more than $300,000 among those sheikhs who still pursue falconry. Derivatives the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > [adjective] > pursuing > pursued 1574 B. Rich sig. F.iv For the better safetie of the pursued, & to cause such as folow to slack their pursute. 1589 T. Rogers xii. 76 For their liues they durst neither rescue their pursued Fleet, nor venter vpon our nauie. 1656 Duchess of Newcastle (title) Assaulted & pursued chastity. 1716 in W. Macfarlane (1900) (Sc. Hist. Soc.) I. 136 He was obliged to give his bond for the pursued Sum. 1742 J. Willison (1800) xv. 197 Pursued shelterless sinners hearken to Christ's voice. 1810 F. Reynolds ii. iv. 48 [They] approach, and oft by such mysterious paths, that, magic-like, they flash on the pursued. 1893 S. Crane ii. 20 Maggie, with side glances of fear of interruption, ate like a small pursued tigress. 1950 R. Bradbury 161 All down the way the pursued and the pursuing, the dream and the dreamers, the quarry and the hounds. 1989 16 Mar. 26/2 Pursued and desperate escaping drivers will almost certainly be driving far beyond their limits. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  v.c1300 |
