A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Proseq(u)ut(e, Prosecut(e, v. Also: prosoc-, -cequ- and -uit(e, -utt, -ueitt, prosequat. P.t. -utit, -uited; also -ut(e, -utt, -uit, -at. [e.m.E. and late ME (once) prosecute (a 1450), -quut(e, -qwuit (both 16th c.), L. prōsecūt-, p.p. stem of prōsequī to follow, pursue, etc., f. prō and sequī to follow. Cf. obs. F. prosecuter (1519 in Godef.).]There is some overlapping between senses 1 and 2.
1. tr. To persist in (a course of action); to persevere or go on with (an action, undertaking or purpose) until it is brought to completion; to realise, to fulfil.pres. 1568 Reg. Privy C. I 624.
Quhill thai renew thair forceis and prosequute thair formair detestabill interpryise 1587 Ib. IV 204.
Als thay … schored to … have tane his lyff quhilk thay avowit to prosequute and putt in executioun quhen thay micht find the tyme 1590 Lett. Jas. VI to Bruce 283.
The mair earnest sall I be to prosequut and advance the cause and course we had in hand 1594 Conv. Burghs I 444.
The king's maiestie … intendis to prosequute be actioun the sentence of forefalture laitlie pronunceit 1616 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 186.
To … prosequut thair desseings 1629 Aberd. Council Lett. I 307.
Ane of our nichtbors … declared that he will prosequute his particular be himselff befoir the secreit counsell, and so … the summonds defected 1640 Maister George Blacke His Masterlesse Men 8.
Desiring mee to prosecut my begun paines 1661 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 115.
The recomendatione to the exchequer wilbe peremptor and I must be necessitate to come and prosequute it for our dispatche 1667 Lauderdale P. II 28. 1690 Cramond Kirk S. III 18 Sept.
The paroch affaires … oblidged them in duty to prosecutt session affaires(b) ?a 1594 Sc. Hist. Rev. XXIII 210.
To prosequeitt his studies(c) 1594 Reg. Privy C. V 155.
Furnist with money to steir up and prosequite a publict wear aganis God(d) 1628 Fraserburgh Kirk S. II 6 Feb.
Alexr. Fraser js wery lingring in making his repentance, thairfoir Wm. Cardue is ordenit to … jnforme him to prosecuit his repentancep.p. 1572 Reg. Privy C. II 168.
The … mair then [= than] beistlie crewelteis … intendit to be prosequute and followit furth with the like or gretar creweltie a1649 Drummond Wks. (1711) 192.
That the late articles of the treaty of peace … may be carefully & truly prosecute
2. To carry out (an activity); to engage in; to exercise; to perform.pres. 1584 Gowrie P. 78.
[They have] determined to prosequute ther revenge and rapine against the rest 1622-6 Bisset II 182/27.
Brytan … will procequute afflictioun (in allegorie) … aganis all … that persequutis … Christianis 1693 Cramond Kirk S. III 28 Dec.
They … desired the said Sir Georg to prosecutt the said callp.p. 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 93.
That service … quhilk he hes evir sensyne prosequutit with the lyke diligence in all 1598 Edinb. B. Rec. V 229.
And that the meynis be prosequat for effectuating thairof
3. To follow (a person) with hostile or punitive intention; to punish.1550 Perth Guildry MS 270 (5 Aug.).
The … gudis … tobe vptane fra the forstallaris … and thair bodeis tobe prosocut as efferis 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 597.
The favour suspectit thai buir to sic of the nobilitie as wes prosequutit be the quenis grace for the tyme 1611 Misc. Maitl. C. III 23.
To prosequute hunt follow and persew the saidis lymmaris with fyre and swerd 1613 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 135.
Prosequited
b. To pursue with malice; to persecute. —c1590 Fowler I 40/84.
Quho seing hir selff so prosecute [v.r. -uit] by Romans spytefull wreath, … she chused first to die 1624 Mar & Kellie MSS Suppl. 201 (see Persecut(e v. 1).
4. In legal and quasi-legal contexts.
a. To arraign (a person) before a court of law. b. To carry on (legal proceedings).a. 1579 Reg. Privy C. III 159.
To be apprehendit and prosequutit be justice 1669 Ib. 3 Ser. III 83.
Prosecuting 1682 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 172.
The lords … give order … to his majesties advocat to prosecute … [four] officers of his majesties mint for their malversations in their officesb. 1598 Edinb. B. Rec. V 230.
That the difference betuix the toun and the Cannogaitt be walknet and prosequutt be law to the uttermost 1602 Anal. Scot. I 212.
And albeit, scho be off intentioune to prosequut the said appellatioune [etc.] 1630 Aberd. Council Lett. I 337.
Prosequte 1669 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 258.
Sumonds to be raiseit and legallie prosecute befor the … privie counsell against … Francis Irvine
