perseguitare
to persecute
verb per-seh-gwee-TAH-reh Rare
Origin: From Latin persequi, 'to follow persistently'.
Also means
to haunt
Usage Note
Perseguitare means to persecute (a person or group) or to haunt (a thought that will not leave). Takes avere as auxiliary. The related noun is persecuzione (persecution) and perseguitato is both the past participle and a noun meaning 'a persecuted person'. Do not confuse with perseguire (to pursue a goal or prosecute legally), which has a different register.
Examples
"Quel ricordo lo perseguita ogni notte."
Natural Translation
That memory haunts him every night.
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