Topic: LAW
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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | , past participle of prosequi 'to follow and try to catch' |
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pros‧e‧cute
1 [intransitive and transitive]SCL to charge someone with a crime and try to show that they are guilty of it in a court of law : 
Shoplifters will be prosecuted.
Shoplifters will be prosecuted. prosecute somebody under a law/Act etc The company is to be prosecuted under the Health and Safety Act.
The company is to be prosecuted under the Health and Safety Act.2 [intransitive and transitive]SCLSCL if a lawyer prosecutes a case, he or she tries to prove that the person charged with a crime is guilty [↪ defend]: Mrs Lynn Smith, prosecuting, said the offence took place on January 27.
Mrs Lynn Smith, prosecuting, said the offence took place on January 27.3 [transitive] formal to continue doing something : We cannot prosecute the investigation further.
We cannot prosecute the investigation further.