Part 684

Wyclif (John xv. 20).

Syn. -- To follow; chase; seek; persist. See Follow.

Pur*sue", v. i. 1. To go in pursuit; to follow.

The wicked flee when no man pursueth.

Prov. xxviii. 1.

Men hotly pursued after the objects of their ambition.

Earle.

2. To go on; to proceed, especially in argument or discourse; to continue.

I have, pursues Carneades, wondered chemists should not consider.

Boyle.

3. (Law) To follow a matter judicially, as a complaining party; to act as a prosecutor. Burrill.

Pur*su"er (?), n. 1. One who pursues or chases; one who follows in haste, with a view to overtake.

2. (Eccl. & Scots Law) A plaintiff; a prosecutor.

Pur*suit" (?), n. [F. poursuite, fr. poursuivre. See Pursue, v. t.] 1. The act of following or going after; esp., a following with haste, either for sport or in hostility; chase; prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an enemy. Clarendon.

Weak we are, and can not shun pursuit.

Shak.

2. A following with a view to reach, accomplish, or obtain; endeavor to attain to or gain; as, the pursuit of knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or pleasure.

3. Course of business or occupation; continued employment with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits; a literary pursuit.

4. (Law) Prosecution. [Obs.]

That pursuit for tithes ought, and of ancient time did pertain to the spiritual court.

Fuller.

Curve of pursuit (Geom.), a curve described by a point which is at each instant moving towards a second point, which is itself moving according to some specified law.

Pur"sui*vant (?), n. [F. poursuivant, fr. poursuivre. See Pursue, and cf. Pursuant.] [Written also poursuivant.] 1. (Heralds' College) A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; -- called also pursuivant at arms; an attendant of the heralds. Also used figuratively.

The herald Hope, forerunning Fear, And Fear, the pursuivant of Hope.

Longfellow.

2. The king's messenger; a state messenger.

One pursuivant who attempted to execute a warrant there was murdered.

Macaulay.