persecute

Where does the word "persecute" come from? It comes from Latin persequi, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Persecute’s story begins in Latin: persequi meant “to pursue with hostility.” To follow through, to pursue with hostility, from per- (through) and sequi (to follow). It reached English by 1400s as persecute. Settled as the English word for subjecting someone to hostile treatment. Today, persecute means to subject someone to hostile and unfair treatment, especially due to their identity or beliefs.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient persequi "to pursue with hostility", to follow through, to pursue with hostility, from per- (through) and sequi (to follow).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s persecute "to subject someone to hostile and unfair treatment", settled as the English word for subjecting someone to hostile treatment.