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term:
Prosecute
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prosecute vb
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-cut·ed
-cut·ing
[Latin prosecutus, past participle of prosequi to pursue]
vt
1 : to institute and carry forward legal action against for redress or esp. punishment of a crime
2 : to institute and carry on a lawsuit with reference to [every action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest "Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 17(a)"]
vi
: to institute and carry on a civil or criminal action
pros·e·cut·able [prÄ -si-kyü-tə-bəl]
adj
Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.