Bible Dictionaries
Persecute

Webster's Dictionary

(1):

(v. t.) To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.

(2):

(v. t.) 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.

Bibliography Information
Webster, Noah. Entry for 'Persecute'. Noah Webster's American Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​web/​p/persecute.html. 1828.