PERSANT
Per"sant, a. Etym: [F. perçant, p.pr. of percer to pierce.]
Defn: Piercing. [Obs.] Spenser.
PERSCRUTATION Per`scru*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. perscrutatio, fr. perscrutari to search through.]
Defn: A thorough searching; a minute inquiry or scrutiny. Carlyle
PERSECOT
Per"se*cot, n.
Defn: See Persicot.
PERSECUTE
Per"se*cute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Persecuted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Persecuting.] Etym: [F. persécueter, L. persequi, persecutus, to
pursue, prosecute; per + sequi to follow, pursue. See Per-, and
Second.]
1. To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship. Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matt. v. 44.
2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy. Johnson.
Syn.
— To oppress; harass; distress; worry; annoy.