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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.

Persew, v. Also: -seu(e, -sewe, -su(e, -sw-; -sow, -sou; -s(c)hew, -shue; pursew, pursu(e, pourshew, poursu, porshu(e, prosew, presew. [ME. and e.m.E. persew (c 1400), -sywe (?a 1400), -sue (1414), -sewe (1526); pursiwen (c 1290), -sue (Rolle), -sewe (c 1375), -su, -swe, -suye; poursewe (Gower), -syewe, -sue; porsewe (c 1350), -sue (Piers Plowman); also prosewe (a 1450); AF. pursiwer, pursuer, also pursure, OF. porsievre, porsieure, -sivre, -suire (mod. F. poursuivre), L. prosequere, -īre, persequere, -īre, popular forms of prosequī and persequī, f. sequī to follow.] To pursue. (Cf. Persecut(e v.).

I. Transitive uses. 1. To treat (a person or group of persons) with hostility; to seek to injure; to trouble or harass; to persecute.(1) c1450 Cr. Deyng (S.T.S.) 104.
He gaif … mercy nad grace … to Paul at persewyt hyme 1456 Hay I. 12/1.
That the devill that had persewit it [sc. the Christian faith] before tyme mycht nocht suffer it 1533 Gau 64/18.
Paul … wesz persewand the halie Chrissine kirk 1535 Stewart 27169.
Ilkane for to be sworne Britis agane neuir mair till persew a1538 Abell 44 a.
He persewit Christin bischippis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2488.
The iniust oft the innocent dois persew 1558-66 Knox I. 235. 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (S.T.S.) 400.
Persewand … with maist extremitie all that adheirit to him … thay brint the Lord Cobham 1586 Rep. Sir Rob. Menzies MSS. 708.
They swee oppress and persew the pure … labouraris 1594 Paterson Ayr & Wigton III. 38.
The Laird of Rowallan … violentlie and unjustlye perseweth the Kingis servand Williame Huntar 1596 Dalr. I. 345/31.
Quhill the Bruse cruellie persuet his awne blude at the Water of Carroun Ib. II. 69/9.
Noble men … ar be invieris persewit Ib. I. 93/1, 146/15, II. 28/14.(b) 1605 Stewart Mem. 114.
Jhone Stewart … hes at deuers tymes heirto persew them in thair leffis(2) ?a1500 Dewoit Exerc. 187.
Thir wickit folk … quhen thai with gret desir persewit ȝow to the dede 1531 Bell. Boece I. 2. c1568 Lauder Minor P. iii. 82.
Thocht tha to death for it suld be persewit 1583–4 Reg. Privy C. III. 630.
Thai … persewit him of his life … woundit him … and chasit him 1608 Peebles Gleanings 23.
Being … persewit of his lyf(3) 1513 Doug. iv. xi. 82.
O ȝe, my Tyrianys, … ȝon clan … Persew with haitrent perpetual and invaid 1524–5 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 221.
Forsamekle as … our … liegis … may be invadit persewit or troublit be evil avisit persounis 1530 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 137.
Vpone the personis … quhilkis … daylie inuadis boistis and persewis thame 1567 Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lv. 1586 Reg. Privy C. IV. 118.
[Thomas Burnett] invadit and persewit hir and struke hir with ane battoun upoun … hir body 1587 Ib. 184.(4) 1590 Reg. Privy C. IV. 798.
Thay salbe persewit … with fyre and sword

b. fig. Said of the action of troublesome, harmful or baleful things. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1186.
Ielousie and fals inuie Did him persew richt cruellie 1567 G. Ball. 79.
Ay quhen temptatioun dois ȝow persew Of lychorie [etc.] c1590 J. Stewart 35/193.
My onlie beutie dois my lyf molest From part to part I pas persewd and drest In duyning dolor quhilk I dailie drie 1596 Dalr. I. 234/17.
Perceiueng his helth with … hauie seiknes to be persewit

c. To avenge (someone's death). 1570 Sat. P. xxiii. 111.
Thocht thair war nane his deith that wald persew The michtie God he wald reuenge his blude

2. To attack or assail.Only Sc.

a. To assail (a place, also a ship); to besiege. b. To attack or assail (a person).a. c1475 Wall. viii. 498.
Sotheroun marueld giff it suld be Wallace With out souerance come to persew that place a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 302.
Rycht crewaly his castell he persewit 1535 Stewart 52530.
Richt suddantlie he set him till persew … Beruik 1543 Crawford Mun. Invent. I. 88 (4 Oct.).
And instantly segeand and persewand the castell of Fynavin 1547 Reg. Privy C. I. 81.
Our auld ynemeis intendis to cum and persew the said house and to recover the samyn furth of the said lordis handis 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 124.
The capitane of the castell of Dunbar … maid daylie slauchter vpoun the suddartis persewand the same 1583 Reg. Privy C. III. 567. 1595 Cal. Sc. P. XI. 593.
[His sons] persewit [the nearest land to Carrickfergus] 1596 Dalr. I. 298 marg.
Quhen Constantin persewis Cumbirland … Kennethie slayes him 1600 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 108/9.
Gif they saw the saidis defendaris persew the duris of the chalmeris [etc.] 1610 Crim. Trials III. 105.
Ȝea … invadit and persewit the said schip c1650 Spalding I. 23.
Thay perseuit the hous most furiouslie Ib. 70.
Howsone the ballie began to persew the houss agane they schot out at them with hagbuttisb. 1535 Stewart 52520.
The Scottis lordis quhen tha kend and knew This ilk Edward richt sone wald thame persew 1566 Crim. Trials I. i. 481.
With drawin swords [etc.] … [they] persewit and invaidit umq^le secretar David Riccio 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 146.
Quha being persewit extremelie be the King of France … wer constranit to seik support at the Dukis of Almaine a1578 Pitsc. I. 83/8.
They fled to strongholdis … Bot the King send ane great part of his airmie to persew thame 1596 Dalr. I. 236/21.
And even than with terrible and fearce battell persewit thay the King of Northumbirland Ib. II. 282/7.
Raseng an armie thame cruellie he persewis 1606 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 28.
He … persewit him within his awin boundis and giving him mony … straikis 1641 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 273.
Draweing of ane quhinger and thairwith etleing to haue persewit the said James 1669 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. III. 107.
He … persued him with a kaine and bate him to the ground

3. To follow or pursue (chiefly, a person) in order to attack, capture or kill; to chase, to hunt.(1) 1432 Acts II. 21/2.
Thai sal persew hym as a fugitoure 1456 Hay I. 196/33.
Bot sen he pursewit him efterwart quhen he was fleand 1491 Ib. 225/1.
The schirref … sall pas and persew the slaaris 1513 Doug. i. iv. 57.
He … syne al the rangald persewis With grundyn arowis Ib. xi. xiii. 167.
As the happy goishalk … With swyft weyngis persewis wonder sair The silly dow heich vp into the ayr 1533 Boece iii. xx. 120.
Romanis … na ferder persewit the flearis 1533 Boece xvi. v. 617.
The King … send the Erle of Crawfurde to persew this lymmare chiftane 1545 Douglas Corr. 162. 1549 Soc. Ant. XI. 91.
He has nay power to pershew onye bot thame that [etc.] 1551 Hamilton Cat. 184.
King Pharao with all his hoist persewand the barnis of Israel a1578 Pitsc. I. 60/7.
His … freindis war scharplie persewit 1596 Dalr. I. 148/23. 1604 Reg. Privy C. VII. ii.
Johnne Colquhoun … resolved to persew them [Clan Gregour] with his haill force 1606 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 28.
To have passit over the hedge and persewit him(b) 1456 Hay I. 196/33.
Sen he pursewit him efterwart quhen he was fleand(2) c1590 Fowler I. 190/6.
I feil his bow ay euer bent … to perseue my harte

4. a. To follow (someone) as a supporter; to become a follower of. c1475 Wall. vi. 120.
Schyr Jhon the Grayme … To Laynrik come gud Wallace to persew

b. To follow (a person) persistently with one's attentions; to importune. 1513 Doug. xii. ii. 49.
Persew me not thus with ȝour grete and teris 1533 Bell. Livy I. 268/34.
It was native to him … to persew the pepill with all humanite & kyndenes he mycht 15.. Clar. i. 292.
[You shall] not for lust persew me as ane lichour a1578 Pitsc. I. 194/11.
To disawe thair maisteris … quhan … the enemyeis persewis thame and … gives thame sic rewardis [etc.] Ib. II. 16/32.
Daylie thir tuo lordis persewit the court and the quene witht brawietie [etc.]

c. To entreat (someone) for favours; to pay suit to, as a lover.Also transf.(1) 1535 Stewart 55916.
Scho … this ȝoung [man] did persew First with luif blenkis a1568 Balnaves Bann. MS. 139 a/91. a1568 Scott xx. 62.
Thocht thow wald repent That thow hir hes persewit [etc.] c1590 Fowler I. 216/11.
I will with kisses thé sweite flouer persewe 16.. Hist. Kennedy 3.
And … her nyteboir … persewit hir … to have hir in marrage c1600 Montg. Suppl. xv. 10.
I was persewit with lad and loun(2) 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 33.
I rew That euer I did mouth thankles so persew 1567 G. Ball. 210.
Thay hony lippis ȝe did persew Grew gall

5. To prosecute or sue (a person) in a court of law. Also absol. b. With the offence as object.Cf. 9 d.(1) 1457–93 Breadalbane Doc. No. .
We sall nocht perseu na follow be the law thir persouns 1472 Lennox Mun. 87.
That I … sall neuer … throw ony maner of … ingyn inquiet distrubill vex clame folow or perseu the said Lord Dernlee … be ony maner of breve [etc.] 1480 Acta Conc. I. 62/2.
Alexander … gert summond him to his instance and wald [nocht] now persew him 1522–3 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 210.
Giffand thame powar till persew all personis brekaris of thar fredome within the tovne of Leith 1527 Montgomery Mem. 107.
The said lord sall persew be law the inquietaris of the said James 1533 Bell. Livy I. 288/16.
To persew the consullis criminaly afore the pepill 1558-66 Knox II. 80.
He sall be persewit be the lordis as ane perturbar of ane guid communwelth c 1566 Fife Sheriff Ct. 407.
Incais ony persoun being persewit to haif sum relivant exceptioun [etc.] 1572–3 Reg. Privy C. II. 195.
Bot thay to be persewit and puneist for thair offencis bipast 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 108. c1575 Balfour Pract. 335.
Ane minor … may not be … persewit … befoir his perfeit age a1578 Pitsc. II. 195/2.
Thir lordis … causit proclematiounis to be maid at the mercat cros that thair cuming was to persew thame that slew the king 1604 Dundee Shipping P. 79. 1612 Prot. Bk. W. Leslie 17 a.
We … obleisses ws neuer to trwble [etc.] … call switt or persew ciuilie or criminallie the said Robert 1619 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 166.
And if neid be to call and persew be law for the said legacie the executors 1622-6 Bisset II. 58/2.
The partie persewed Ib. 168/31.
He wes slane … sittand in jugement quhen he wes persewand trew men to the death for there … geir 1655 Dumbarton B. Rec. 69.
Persewed criminally as warloke 1660 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 191.
The said Mr. Andro Cant to be persewit befor the presbitrie 1685 Corshill Baron Ct. 169.
Persued(b) 1495 Contract (Mey P.) MS. 13 June.
Neuer to perschew na to follow the said Wilȝeame … na to mow pley of the said landis 1564–5 Inverness Rec. I. 122.
Quha … salbe perschewit for breking of ward 1569 Ib. 175.
The baillies foirsaidis hes followit and perschewit Johne Myllar and Dauid Maleis 1589 Liber Offic. S. Andree 170.
We grant ws … nor nane uther in our nayme sall perschew … the … barnis … as bastardis 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 89.
Pershue(c) 1537–8 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 153.
Persowit 1587 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 9.(d) 1661 Maxwell Mem. II. 305.
Knoing that Sir James Hamilton … was come … a poirpos to pourshew for your fayn Ib.
That he wold pourshew him in law(e) 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. xx. 3 (1699) 108.
Whosoever intercommuns with thieves … they shall be pursued civilly or criminally 1684 Lauder Observes 140.
Porshues(f) 1571 Reg. Privy C. II. 85.
And to be callit presewit demanit and punist thairfoir 1573 Ib. 308.
He salbe apprehendit and … presewit for the said bill and redress thairof(2) 1478–9 Acta Aud. 70/2.
Scho … persewit him before thaim anent the landis of Menycabo 1492–3 Acta Conc. I. 281/1.
Dauid Balfour … as procuratour for Henrj Chene … askit a not that Johne Chene … persevit & vexit the said Henrj Chene in the landis of Mekle Arnage 1515 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 34.
Roger of Chesholme … persewit Thomas Edmond of xviii schep and of thair brok and brud 1518 Ib. 47.
Anent the oxin that James Ellot persewis Rechert Thirbrand of 1540–1 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 104.
It sall nocht be lefull … to persew thame … thairfor 1551 Boyd Fam. P. No. 34 (10 Mar.).
Gif ony pertis callis persewis [etc.] … the said David … in the getting and bruking of the nyne mar[k]lands 1552–3 Lanark B. Rec. 23.
Ane instroment of seissin quhylk the said David perseuit the said Wylyem Lowre for befor the offyssiall of Glesgw 1560 Peebles B. Rec. I. 271. 1568 Buch. Indict. 46.
Persewit be a procuratorie of his laufull vyif … for adulterie 1586 Jurid. Rev. IV. 298.
Answerit the advocat … that he persews the haill panels for ane cryme committit and for ane pane 1625 Justiciary Cases I. 21.
Becaus he is to persew ane man of his lyfe 1629 Dundonald Par. Rec. 289.
They sould be … followed and persewit vnto death as for the crime of witchcraft 1666 Decis. Lords G. 126.
John Ramsay … pursues the havers of the jewels to make them furth-coming to him 1679 Corshill Baron Ct. 150.
Johne Stewart … persued Katherin Grahame to remove ane langsetle out of his house 1691 Ib. 185.
Persuedb. 1454–5 Edinb. Chart. 81.
To send … twa or thre persons to folow and persew the defalt made to ony man … of Edynburgh 1482–3 Acta Conc. II. cxx.
Thai may nocht be thair procuraturis persew ony cryme of falsite of the said instrument 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Iter.
As for depredationes … the samin … may be criminally persewed before the justice a1633 Hope Major Pract. II. 91.
The master may persew ejection committed against his tenant 1678 Fountainhall Decis. I. 16.

c. (With admixture of other senses.) To persew (a person's) life in a court of law, = to prosecute for a capital offence. — 1568 Murray in Anderson Collect. Mary IV. i. 117.
That … I myght fynd in my harte to persew ȝour lyff at the Parliament

6. To seek to obtain (a right, property, etc.) by legal, or other, action; to sue for. b. To seek (to obtain something).a. 1440 Acts II. 55/2.
But stopyng to the said lord to perseu his richt 1456 Hay I. 167/5.
For quhy in my rycht persewand it is as thing rychtwisly conquest to me of rychtwis were 1495 Contract (Mey P.) MS. 13 June.
The said Alexander Mowat has perschewit and enterit … in to halff the landis of … Dryne a1500 K. Hart 847.
Rent haue I none outtak fortune and chance, That man I ay persew 1503 Acts II. 254/1.
The partijs persewand their land and heretage be the breve of rycht c1515 Asl. MS. I. 204/17.
The said Henry come with ane gret powere … to persew his richt Ib. 203/25. 1537 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 144.
In defalt of the rychtuys ayr nocht persovand his rycht 1556–7 Stirling B. Rec. I. 70.
The pound of walx persewit be the dekin of the wobstaris a1568 Bann. MS. 249 b/26.
Quhen clerkis will na banifice persew Than [etc.] a1568 Scott xiii. 39.
Sen I persew nathing of ȝow bot rycht 1588 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 427.
Witht power … to intromet vptak follow and persew as law will the guidis and geir foirsaidis omittit 1626 Ellon Presb. 122.
[He] is ordanit to persew that silver befoir the civill judge 1622-6 Bisset II. 213/31.b. 1463 Lennox Mun. 76.
I haue daily persewit … to haue had couresabill brevis of ȝoure chapell eftir the tennor of my petitionis

7. To try to achieve or attain to (some purpose or non-material object); to seek to bring about or encompass; to strive after. c1490 Porteous Noblenes 177/27 (Asl.).
Thai persewe this lady Worthines richt swerlye and with gret schame … that … revis the gudis … of pure commonis 1513 Doug. ii. ii. 73.
Nor cessit he neuer his purpos to persew 1531 Bell. Boece II. 260.
His wife … gaif him gret artation to persew the thrid weird 1533 Boece viii. xiii. 281.
We sall … prosew oure purpois with all diligence a1568 Balnaves Bann. MS. 138 b/44.
Than thy rowme waikis ane vder it taikis That solace to persew a1568 Scott xxxiv. 37.
Ȝe preis ay to persew Thair syte and ȝour awin sorrow 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4866.
Solace … & game I mon persew c1590 Fowler I. 311/4.
They oftentymes … Pursewed my decay

b. To seek or strive (to do something). 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1141.
Amang the laif ful fast I did persew To drink Id. Æn. ix. ix. 75.
Quham Turnus lanssand lychtly our the landis … persewys for to spill And quhen he hes ourtane him at his will [etc.] a1570-86 Balnaves Maitl. F. cxxix. 105.
Gif ȝe persew To hwnt at euerie beist Ȝe will it rew

8. To make one's way to (a place). c1475 Wall. vi. 190.
Than Cartlane craggis thai persewit full fast c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 478.
All my luffaris lele my lugeing persewis Ib. ix. 84.
To keipe the festuall and the fasting day, The mes on Sonday, the parroche kirk persew

9. To carry on, proceed with, carry on further, or follow up (an action or course of action). 1456 Hay II. 4/18.
A … knycht … the quhilk … had aventurit his persone to pursue and manetene justis tournaymentis and weris c1515 Asl. MS. I. 205/9.
Thare … wikit deidis … as thai haue euermar persewit vnto this day 1533 Bell. Livy I. 292/27. 1535 Stewart 28792.
[The Saxons] the battell did persew 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1443. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 120.
He … perswd his voage to France with greit celeritie 1596 Dalr. I. 191/6.
Thay … began to pe[r]sew the mater with swordes Ib. 305/18.
Machabie persueng the victorie … gaue the Danes classe a chais

b. To give (battle), commit oneself to (battle). 1456 Hay I. 119/20.
Bot nowcht every man that is vertuous in the vertu of force settis thame nocht to poursu bataill; na ȝit nocht all men that pursewis bataill is nocht cled with that vertu of force, na ȝit is nocht all forsy of pursuyng or defending of dede of armes is nocht vertu cardinale

c. To proceed in accordance with (certain signs). 1513 Doug. ix. i. 48.
So gret takynnys … I sal persew and fallow quhat befaw

d. spec. To carry on (a legal action or litigation); to prosecute (a plea). Cf. 5 and 16, 17 a.(a) 1469 Acta Aud. 9/2.
In the actioune and caus persewit be a reuerend fadir 1483 Ib. in Acta Conc. II. cxxvii.
The summondis persewit … anent … a pece of silver 1492 Acta Conc. I. 281/1. 1499 Ib. II. 338.
That thai … persew folow and defend thair sadis summondis [etc.] 1503 Acts II. 246/2.
Therfor I appele & find ane borcht … to persew the said appellation 1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 261/2. 1528 Selkirk B. Ct. MS. 133 a.
Admitit laufull procuratour in the nayme … of Villiem Hovatsone to persew all his actiones and querrellis and now in speciall to persew and follow Jhone Robesone 1532–3 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 90.
Any clayme … Jhone Stevynsone hed to persow and say aganys hym Ib.
To relef hym of the said brocht persovit be Robert Anderson aganys hym 1541 Blackfriars Perth 151.
We are poor religious and has nae expense to persew lawpley 1545 Stirling B. Rec. I. 40. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1214.
This squyer … Was thair [sc. in Edinburgh] just matteris to persew 1562–3 St. A. Kirk S. 175.
Perseu 1570 Canongate Ct. Bk. 278. c1575 Balfour Pract. 282.
Gif ony man … persew ony actioun … pertening to his lordis court befoir ony uther judge 1576 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I. 5.
And for all vther cravings that he micht persew vpoun the said Gilbert 1579–80 Rec. Earld. Orkney 151. 1580 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 28 Sept.
The actioun of mitilatioun perseuit be him upon the said Cuthbert 1588–9 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 129. 1606 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 17 (see Libel(l n. 4 a). 1622-6 Bisset I. 174/9.
As quhen ane criminall cause is persewed befoir ane civile or ecclesiasticall iudge 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 29.
Where still ther was proces by way of declarator perseued(b) 1637 Aberd. B. Rec. in J. H. Stevenson Heraldry in Scotl. (1914) I. 93.
Anent the mater of armes pursuit be the Lord Lyon aganes the town 1665 Decis. Lords G. 114.
A process pursued … against Margaret Ker

10. a. fig. To follow (a person's footsteps), so as to emulate him. b. To peruse (a text). a1500 Henr. Orph. 17 (Ch. & M.).
The grete lordis … sett thair hert … Thair fadirs steppis iustly to persewe — c1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 572.
Quho list the storie of Achab to persew

II. Absolute and intransitive uses.

11. a. To proceed hostilely against another or others; to attack.Also const. to the adversary.(1) 1456 Hay I. 83/9.
That better war … till pursu and assaille na to byde quhill the inymys of God assailit thame a1500 Henr. Fab. 2480. (H).
And he persew, be God I sall not spair To follow him c1475 Wall. vii. 791.
Swne thai will fle, scharply and we persew Ib. ix. 1788.
To Wallace com a part off power new On restyt hors that partly couth persew 1533 Boece v. iii. 167 b.
Scottis … wald … fle gif inemyis persewit to the montanis 1596 Dalr. I. 283/11.
Heir followis scharp weiris betuein Ingland and Scotland the ane persewis the vther defendis(2) c1475 Wall. vi. 631.
The Sotherone may persewe Agayne to ws for thai ar folk enew

b. To follow others hostilely, to go in hostile pursuit. 1513 Doug. i. vii. 92.
At ȝondir part the Troianys tak the flycht … Achillis in hys chair Persewand strangly [L. instaret] 1596 Dalr. I. 91/7.
In swiftnes of fute … athir quhen the ennimie flies to follow or quhen the ennimie persues to flie

c. To proceed, advance. 1513 Doug. i. vi. 22.
Harpalica Hastand the hors hir fadir to reskew Spedyar than Hebrun, the swyft flude, dyd persew

12. To follow as a supporter. c1475 Wall. iv. 197.
He thaim comandyt ay next him to persew

13. To proceed, make one's way (to, also in or into, a place or presence). Cf. 8. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1292.
I mak yow ane grant … Ay to your presence to persew with al my seruice c1475 Wall. viii. 72.
A squier … With xx^ty men to Wallace couth persew a1500 Prestis of Peblis 977.
The king … to hir presence can persew a1500 K. Hart 65.
Honour persewit to the Kingis ȝet a1500 Bk. Chess 1482.
This Egipt … Thocht he wald persew In Arabe to se his fallow trew c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxiv. 6.
In to ȝour garthe this day I did persew c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii. 556.
Bot wald ȝe to the thre fatales persew [etc.]

b. To commit oneself to, engage in, battle; to advance into (unto, on-to) the thick of battle. Cf. 9 b. 1456 Hay I. 119/32.
Suppos every hardy spiritit man poursu nocht alwayis to bataill c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 172.
Unto [M. One to] the pres persewit Hie Degree

14. To proceed or continue in a course of action already begun. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlvi. 12.
Quhair did vpone the tothair syd persew A nychtingall with suggurit notis new 1602 Dundee Shipping P. 77.
Y … inbargit the schip … and persewit conforme to sex hownder dokatis as sche micht abein sawld for 1622-6 Bisset I. 17/20.
Crowall deidis untrew Into this land incressand that dois now Be extreme bangstaris that dalie dois persew

15. To pay suit, to importune with attentions. Cf. 4 b, c. a1568 Scott xi. 7.
Ȝe may with honesty persew Gif ȝe be … trew Ib. xii. 61.
Gif I persew And beis nocht trew … Forsaik me c1600 Montg. Suppl. ix. 64.
Ȝe man go hence And nocht persew

16. To sue, be a pursuer, prosecute a plea, in a court of law. Cf. 5 and 9 d. 1416 Douglas Corr. 234.
The delay of our hamecome stands al anely in thaim that sowlde persue for vs 1438 Soc. Ant. Charter (Reg. H.) No. 4.
Thai sal haffe … leffe to persew and folow alssfer as law wyl 14.. Quon. Attach. c. 39.
Be twix him that is the tennand & him that til him ilk day is persewand 1505 Liber Aberbr. II. 356.
Persev 1518 Lag Chart. 54.
& in our name to defend & persew, litiscontestatioun to mak [etc.] 1562 Charter (Reg. H.) 11 April.
That thai and euiryane of thame may persew and call for the samin levesumlie as accordis of the law 1564 Stirling B. Rec. I. 82.
He had na place to persew in jugment in respect that he is ane conventual brother 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 59.
Quhen heires male and famell baith persews 1625 Justiciary Cases I. 20.
It is laufull for the … bairnes to persew for the slauchter

17. To persew for. a. To institute a claim for, by legal action. 1548 Reg. Privy S. IV. 1/2.
Gif the said umquhile Johnne had ony silver werk … it salbe lesum to oure soverane lady … to persew for the samyn and tak it up 1556 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 242.
That it preiudgit nocht … his rycht thairof bot that he mycht persew thairfor 1556–7 Inverness Rec. I. 5.
Athyr of tham to persew equalle for thair pairt for the sayd pettis 1583 Reg. Soltre 238.
To do deligence for the biganes and persew thairfore 1588 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 6 Oct.
Thomas Myll … hes maid … Thomas Leg … his lauchfull assignay to sers seik & persew for ane gray hors of his … quhilk wes stollin 1622-6 Bisset II. 88/15.
Executouris hes iust richt … to … persew for all dettis auchtand to the deid 1653 Hossack Kirkwall 254.
As for quha perseus for that 800 lib. against my Lord Morton [etc.] 1676 Cramond Kirk S. II. 2 Apr.
The Session desired … Mr James Hunter to pursue for the said principall soume [etc.] … according to law 1679 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 297.
To call and pershew for all and sundrie writtis evidents [etc.] 1699 Fountainhall Decis. II. 40.

b. To seek to gain, to strive after (a purpose or non-material object). Cf. 7. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 598.
Gif ony pressis to this place for proves to persew [etc.]