pursue

[per-soo] /pərˈsu/
verb (used with object), pursued, pursuing.
1.
to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase.
2.
to follow close upon; go with; attend:
Bad luck pursued him.
3.
to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
4.
to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).
5.
to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.).
6.
to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.
7.
to practice (an occupation, pastime, etc.).
8.
to continue to discuss (a subject, topic, etc.).
9.
to follow:
They pursued the river to its source. I felt their eyes pursuing me.
10.
to continue; go on with (one's course, a journey, etc.).
verb (used without object), pursued, pursuing.
11.
to chase after someone or something; to follow in pursuit:
They spotted the suspect but decided not to pursue.
12.
to continue.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English pursuen < Anglo-French pursuer ≪ Latin prōsequī to pursue, follow, continue. See pro-1, sue, prosecute
Related forms
pursuable, adjective
outpursue, verb (used with object), outpursued, outpursuing.
repursue, verb (used with object), repursued, repursuing.
unpursuable, adjective
unpursued, adjective
unpursuing, adjective
Can be confused
peruse, pursue.
Synonyms
1. trail, hunt. 2. dog.
Examples from the web for pursue
  • But obviously the current administration does not see this as the best way to pursue this goal, or they would be behind it.
  • Because they're crippled, or too old and enfeebled to pursue deer, boars and other wildlife.
  • In my junior year of high school, my guidance counselor did his best to encourage me to pursue a career in art education.
  • He completed his law studies, but feeling more attachment to literary occupations he did not pursue the profession.
  • There are possibilities enough for all who will abandon mastery over others to pursue mastery over nature.
  • For if they were to run away, they knew that the monster would pursue and swallow them whole.
  • In his last years, when his mind had given way, he was seen to pursue his devotions with great regularity.
  • Sooner or later, some doctoral students realize that they will not pursue a faculty career.
  • When it comes to the financial packages that graduate students receive to pursue their degrees, the devil is in the details.
  • The successful candidate will be expected to pursue an active research program.
British Dictionary definitions for pursue

pursue

/pəˈsjuː/
verb (mainly transitive) -sues, -suing, -sued
1.
(also intransitive) to follow (a fugitive, etc) in order to capture or overtake
2.
(esp of something bad or unlucky) to follow closely or accompany: ill health pursued her
3.
to seek or strive to attain (some object, desire, etc)
4.
to follow the precepts of (a plan, policy, etc)
5.
to apply oneself to (one's studies, hobbies, etc)
6.
to follow persistently or seek to become acquainted with
7.
to continue to discuss or argue (a point, subject, etc)
Derived Forms
pursuer, noun
Word Origin
C13: from Anglo-Norman pursiwer, from Old French poursivre, from Latin prōsequī to follow after
Word Origin and History for pursue
v.

late 13c., "to follow with hostile intent," from Anglo-French pursuer and directly from Old French poursuir (Modern French poursuivre), variant of porsivre "to chase, pursue, follow; continue, carry on," from Vulgar Latin *prosequare, from Latin prosequi "follow, accompany, attend; follow after, escort; follow up, pursue," from pro- "forward" (see pro-) + sequi "follow" (see sequel). Meaning "to proceed, to follow" (a path, etc.), usually figurative (a course of action, etc.), is from late 14c. This sense also was in Latin. Related: Pursued; pursuing. For sense, cf. prosecute.