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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