WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Pur*suit"
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. poursuite, fr. poursuivre. See Pursue, v. t.]
Definition : 1. The act of following or going after; esp., a following with haste, either for sport or in hostility; chase; prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an enemy. Clarendon. Weak we are, and can not shun pursuit. Shak.

2. A following with a view to reach, accomplish, or obtain; endeavor to attain to or gain; as, the pursuit of knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or pleasure.

3. Course of business or occupation; continued employment with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits; a literary pursuit.

4. (Law)

Defn: Prosecution. [Obs.] That pursuit for tithes ought, and of ancient time did pertain to the spiritual court. Fuller. Curve of pursuit (Geom.), a curve described by a point which is at each instant moving towards a second point, which is itself moving according to some specified law.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913