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Pros"e*cute (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prosecuted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prosecuting.] [L. prosecutus, p. p. of prosequi to follow, pursue. See Pursue.]

1. To follow or pursue with a view to reach, execute, or accomplish; to endeavor to obtain or complete; to carry on; to continue; as, to prosecute a scheme, hope, or claim.

I am beloved Hermia; Why should not I, then, prosecute my right ?

Shak.

2. To seek to obtain by legal process; as, to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law.

3. (Law) To pursue with the intention of punishing; to accuse of some crime or breach of law, or to pursue for redress or punishment, before a legal tribunal; to proceed against judicially; as, to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot.

To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes.

Milton.

Pros"e*cute, v. i. 1. To follow after. [Obs.] Latimer.

2. (Law) To institute and carry on a legal prosecution; as, to prosecute for public offenses. Blackstone.

Pros`e*cu"tion (?), n. [L. prosecutio a following.] 1. The act or process of prosecuting, or of endeavoring to gain or accomplish something; pursuit by efforts of body or mind; as, the prosecution of a scheme, plan, design, or undertaking; the prosecution of war.

Keeping a sharp eye on her domestics . . . in prosecution of their various duties.

Sir W. Scott.

2. (Law) (a) The institution and carrying on of a suit in a court of law or equity, to obtain some right, or to redress and punish some wrong; the carrying on of a judicial proceeding in behalf of a complaining party, as distinguished from defense. (b) The institution, or commencement, and continuance of a criminal suit; the process of exhibiting formal charges against an offender before a legal tribunal, and pursuing them to final judgment on behalf of the state or government, as by indictment or information. (c) The party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted. Blackstone. Burrill. Mozley & W.

Pros"e*cu`tor (?), n. [Cf. L. prosecutor an attendant.] 1. One who prosecutes or carries on any purpose, plan, or business.

2. (Law) The person who institutes and carries on a criminal suit against another in the name of the government. Blackstone.

Pros"e*cu`trix (?), n. [NL.] A female prosecutor.

Pros"e*lyte (?), n. [OE. proselite, OF. proselite, F. proselytus, Gr. &?;, adj., that has come, n., a new comer, especially, one who has come over from heathenism to the Jewish religion; &?; toward, to + (prob.) the root of &?; to come.] A new convert especially a convert to some religion or religious sect, or to some particular opinion, system, or party; thus, a Gentile converted to Judaism, or a pagan converted to Christianity, is a proselyte.

Ye [Scribes and Pharisees] compass sea and land to make one proselyte.

Matt. xxiii. 15.

Fresh confidence the speculatist takes From every harebrained proselyte he makes.

Cowper.

Syn. -- See Convert.

Pros"e*lyte, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proselyted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Proselyting.] To convert to some religion, opinion, or system; to bring over. Dr. H. More.

Pros"e*ly*tism (?), n. [Cf. F. prosÈlytisme.] 1. The act or practice of proselyting; the making of converts to a religion or a religious sect, or to any opinion, system, or party.

They were possessed of a spirit of proselytism in the most fanatical degree.

Burke.