prosecute

CEFRB2

/ˈpɹɒsɪkjuːt/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To officially accuse someone and try to prove their guilt in court.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To charge, try.

Examples

  • The DA said he wouldn't prosecute Tom.

  • There are lots of signs warning that they prosecute shoplifters.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
4

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To seek to obtain by legal process.

  2. To start criminal proceedings against.

  3. To pursue something to the end.

More examples

In context

  • The police decided not to prosecute.

  • to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a riot

  • to prosecute a right or a claim in a court of law

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The district attorney decided to blank the suspect for fraud due to strong evidence.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

Borrowed from Latin prōsecūtus, perfect participle of prōsequor. Doublet of pursue, from Old French. Compare also persecute.