Definition: Persecution

From New World Encyclopedia

Etymology

Equivalent to persecute + -ion. From Middle English persecucioun, from Old French persecucion, from Ecclesiastical Latin persecūtio (persecution; chase, pursuit), from Latin persequor (follow up, pursue), from per- (through) + sequor (follow). Displaced native Old English ēhtnes.

Noun

persecution (countable and uncountable, plural persecutions)

  1. The act of persecuting; the act of being cruel and harmful to people, especially due to said people's race, religious beliefs, etc.
    The documentary about the persecution of members of the Eastern Lightning church by the Chinese government made me sad.

Credits

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