prosecute
Definitions
To bring criminal charges against someone in a court of law
起诉，检控
To carry on or pursue an activity to completion (formal)
继续进行，从事（正式）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpro- (forward) + secut (follow, chase) = to pursue someone 'forward' through the legal system — to bring charges. The rarer formal sense ('prosecute a war, prosecute an inquiry') keeps the plain idea of pursuing an activity forward to its end.
Root sequ still carries 21 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.prosecute for以……罪起诉
- 2.prosecute a case进行诉讼
- 3.be prosecuted被起诉
- 4.fail to prosecute未予起诉
Example Sentences
- 1.
The state decided to prosecute him for fraud.
- 2.
Shoplifters will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
- 3.
The company vigorously prosecuted its case in court.
Easily Confused
prosecute vs persecute — nearly identical spelling, opposite tone. prosecute (pro- forward) = lawfully take someone to court. persecute (per- thoroughly) = cruelly oppress someone for their beliefs or identity. A government prosecutes a thief; a regime persecutes a minority.