persecute | Etymology, origin and meaning of persecute …
https://www.etymonline.com/word/persecute
persecute (v.) mid-15c., persecuten, "to oppress for the holding of an opinion or adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship," from Old French persécuter "pursue, torment, open legal action" (14c.) and directly from Latin persecutus, past participle of persequi "to follow, pursue, hunt down; proceed against, prosecute, start a legal action," from per "through" (from …
DA: 43 PA: 14 MOZ Rank: 74