insector, ātus, 1, v. dep. a. freq. [insequor], to pursue (class.).
I Lit.: impios agitant insectanturque furiae, Cic. Leg. 1, 14, 40; cf. id. Div. 2, 70, 144: aliquem hastis, Plaut. Capt. 3, 4, 17: aliquem verberibus, to pursue with blows , Tac. A. 1, 20.—
B Transf.: assiduis herbam insectabere rastris, pursue the weeds with diligent hoes , i. e. diligently extirpate them , Verg. G. 1, 155.—
II Trop., to pursue with words , to censure , blame , rail at , inveigh against , speak ill of (with exagitare): indices, Cic. Att. 1, 16, 8: insector ultro, atque insto accusatori: insector, inquam, et flagito testes, id. Font. 1; cf. id. Planc. 19, 48: aliquem maledictis, id. Fin. 2, 25, 80: acerbius in aliquem invehi insectarique vehementius, id. Lael. 16, 57: aliquem inimice, id. N. D. 1, 3, 5: audaciam improborum, id. Att. 10, 1, 4: injuriam alicujus, id. ib. 5, 17: librariorum inscientiam, Quint. 9, 4, 39: vitia, id. 10, 1, 65: praetextam demissam ad talos, id. 5, 13, 39 al.: damnum amissi corporis, to reproach , upbraid with , Phaedr. 3, 11, 3: de legitima insectandi alicujus causa composita oratione, Paul. Sent. 5, 4, 15: obsceno nomine, id. ib. 5, 4, 21.