persĕcūtĭo, ōnis, f. [persequor], a following after, a chasing, pursuing; a chase, pursuit.
I Lit.: bestiae, Dig. 41, 1, 44; so ib. 41, 1, 4; Ap. Met. 4, 27, 11; pluviis persecutionem passi, Vulg. Sap. 16, 16; 11, 21.—
II Transf.
A A prosecution , action , suit , Cic. Or. 41, 141 (dub.; al. praescriptionum); Dig. 46, 4, 18, § 1.—
B A persecution , esp. of Christians, Tert. Spect. 27: De Fuga in Persecutione, the title of a treatise by Tertullian , Vulg. Matt. 5, 10 et saep.—
C A following up , prosecution of an affair: negotii, Ap. Met. 10, 27, 11.