Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Persecut(e, v. Also: par- and -sekut-, -sequute. P.t. and p.p. persecutit, etc.; also persecut(e, etc. [e.m.E. persecute (Caxton), F. persécuter (Oresme, 14th c., in OED.), L. persecūt-, p.p. stem of persequī pursue, persecute.] To persecute, in various senses. (Cf. Persew v.).

1. tr. a. To pursue, deal hostilely with (another or others). b. To ill-treat, harass or oppress (others). c. spec. To persecute (persons of another religion, belief or opinion).Also, with a non-material thing as object.(a) 1490 Irland Mir. I. 111/36.
The ofspring of Adam … has bene euir redy to persecut thi law thi haly name and ws thi dochtiris 1549 Compl. 181/11.
That the Inglis men … persecutis our realme(b, c) 1533 Gau 77/4.
Supposz I be lichtlit and persecut a1578 Pitsc. I. 311/22.
The pepill quho persecut him 1624 Mar & Kellie MSS. Suppl. 201.
The thesaurar is and hes bein verrye mutche prosecute and monye thinks persecute 1658 Blairs P. 101.
Catholiques are persequute uith lose of their goods(b) 1545 Douglas Corr. 155.
And thay … sal be parsecutit with faire and sworde to the moste extremite a1578 Pitsc. II. 56/22.
The cardinall … crewallie persecutit him into the death 1596 Dalr. I. 93/1.
With a deidlie fade … thay persekuted … the hail … familie 1622 Perth Kirk S. MS. 20 May.
To the support of the kirk of France persecutit be the papeistis

d. To vex or distress. — c1590 Fowler II. 31/1.
That his seruants sulde be persecut be trubles and suffer ignomie for his saik

2. To carry out or discharge (an action); to put (an intention) into effect. 1554 Misc. Bann. C. III. 67.
That ȝour kinglie maiestie sell … effectuislie persequute [L. prosequatur] oure wordis 1571 Cal. Sc. P. III. 666.
[Having no other action now to] persequute