pursuit

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Old French poursuite, from the verb porsuir (“to pursue”).

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /pəˈsjuːt/, /pɜːˈsjuːt/, /pəˈʃuːt/, /pɜːˈʃuːt/
    • Audio (UK)(file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /pɝˈsuːt/
    • Audio (US)(file)
  • (General Australian) IPA(key): /pəˈʃʉːt/, /pəˈsʉːt/
  • (Canada) IPA(key): /pɜːɹˈs(j)uːt/, /pəɹ-/, /-sɪu̯t/
  • (Wales) IPA(key): /pɜː(ɹ)ˈsɪu̯t/, /pə(ɹ)-/
  • Rhymes: -uːt

Noun

pursuit (countable and uncountable, plural pursuits)

  1. The act of pursuing.
    Synonym: pursual
    Unremitting pursuit of wealth doesn't bring happiness, particularly if successful.
    • 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 2, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
      Mother […] considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom, from which every Kensingtonian held aloof, except on the conventional tip-and-run excursions in pursuit of shopping, tea and theatres.
    • 2011 September 27, Alistair Magowan, “Bayern Munich 2-0 Man City”, in BBC Sport:
      Not only were Jupp Heynckes' team pacey in attack but they were relentless in their pursuit of the ball once they had lost it, and as the game wore on they merely increased their dominance as City wilted in the Allianz Arena.
    • 2023 May 8, Charles Hugh Smith, Once Trust Has Been Lost, There's No Going Back‎:
      The erosion of trust doesn't require intent, it only requires the blind pursuit of self-interest above all else.
  2. A hobby or recreational activity, done regularly.
  3. (cycle racing) A discipline in track cycling where two opposing teams start on opposite sides of the track and try to catch their opponents.
  4. (law, obsolete) prosecution
    • 1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC:
      That pursuit for tithes ought, and of ancient time did pertain to the spiritual court.

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Further reading
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