I’m interested! I thought both words derive from Latin prosequi/persequi and had essentially the same meaning as modern English. Which language do you speak?
They do, but in modern English it helps to break them down via the root words, here specifically the pro and per prefixes. Sequi is “follow,” while pro essentially means forward, with prosecute to be follow forward. Persecute takes the same sequi but per is now *through," as in follow through. Both of which have legal origin, but the differentiation is that prosecute is to “follow forward” in a court of law, almost as an ante, while persecute being “follow through” is more of a present verb signifying current action.
Edit: this website is a great resource for breaking down words for meaning and origins.
Is that prosecuted or persecuted? Hmmm, actually both fit perfectly in your sentence
Oh, right, I forgot English makes that distinction. Thanks for reminding me!
I’m interested! I thought both words derive from Latin prosequi/persequi and had essentially the same meaning as modern English. Which language do you speak?
They do, but in modern English it helps to break them down via the root words, here specifically the pro and per prefixes. Sequi is “follow,” while pro essentially means forward, with prosecute to be follow forward. Persecute takes the same sequi but per is now *through," as in follow through. Both of which have legal origin, but the differentiation is that prosecute is to “follow forward” in a court of law, almost as an ante, while persecute being “follow through” is more of a present verb signifying current action.
Edit: this website is a great resource for breaking down words for meaning and origins.