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)
- 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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