persecution

Pronunciation: /ˌpɝsəˈkjuʃən/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)

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.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
maltreatment
Narrower (hyponyms)
oppression, torture, rendition, pogrom

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