a. Capable of being, or fit to be, pursued, followed, or prosecuted. Sherwood. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of pursuit. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Pursuant. ] 1. The act of pursuing or prosecuting; a following out or after. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sermons are not like curious inquiries after new nothings, but pursuances of old truths. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being pursuant; consequence. [ 1913 Webster ]

In pursuance of, in accordance with; in prosecution or fulfillment of. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Pursue: cf. OE. poursuiant. Cf. Pursuivant. ] Acting in consequence or in prosecution (of anything); hence, agreeable; conformable; following; according; -- with to or of. [ 1913 Webster ]

The conclusion which I draw from these premises, pursuant to the query laid down, is, etc. Waterland. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } adv. Agreeably; conformably. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To go in pursuit; to follow. [ 1913 Webster ]

The wicked flee when no man pursueth. Prov. xxviii. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men hotly pursued after the objects of their ambition. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To go on; to proceed, especially in argument or discourse; to continue. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ A Gallicism ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I have, pursues Carneades, wondered chemists should not consider. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) To follow a matter judicially, as a complaining party; to act as a prosecutor. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pursued p. pr. & vb. n. Pursuing. ] [ OE. pursuen, porsuen, OF. porsivre, poursuivre, poursuir, F. poursuivre, fr. L. prosequi; pro forward + sequi to follow. See Sue, and cf. Prosecute, Pursuivant. ] 1. To follow with a view to overtake; to follow eagerly, or with haste; to chase; as, to pursue a hare. [ 1913 Webster ]

We happiness pursue; we fly from pain. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

The happiness of men lies in purswing,
Not in possessing. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To seek; to use or adopt measures to obtain; as, to pursue a remedy at law. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fame of ancient matrons you pursue. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To proceed along, with a view to some and or object; to follow; to go in; as, Captain Cook pursued a new route; the administration pursued a wise course. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To prosecute; to be engaged in; to continue. “ Insatiate to pursue vain war.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To follow as an example; to imitate. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To follow with enmity; to persecute; to call to account. [ 1913 Webster ]

The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued me, they shall pursue you also. Wyclif (John xv. 20). [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To follow; chase; seek; persist. See Follow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who pursues or chases; one who follows in haste, with a view to overtake. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Eccl. & Scots Law) A plaintiff; a prosecutor. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Weak we are, and can not shun pursuit. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Course of business or occupation; continued employment with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits; a literary pursuit. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) Prosecution. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

That pursuit for tithes ought, and of ancient time did pertain to the spiritual court. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The herald Hope, forerunning Fear,
And Fear, the pursuivant of Hope. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The king's messenger; a state messenger. [ 1913 Webster ]

One pursuivant who attempted to execute a warrant there was murdered. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]