Persecution \Per`se*cu"tion\, n. [F. pers['e]cution, L. persecutio.]

1. The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship.

Persecution produces no sincere conviction. --Paley.

2. The state or condition of being persecuted. --Locke.

3. A carrying on; prosecution. [Obs.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)