persecute

verb

Etymology: Borrowed from Middle French persécuter, from Ecclesiastical Latin persecutor, from Latin persequor, persecutus (“follow up, pursue”), from per- (“through”) + sequor (“follow”) (English sequel). Compare prosecute. Cf. also pursue.

1. To pursue in a manner to do harm or cruelty to; especially, because of the victim's race, sexual identity, or adherence to a particular belief.

   “He who persecutes one will persecute all.”

   “I have heard, brethren, how sharply Antichrist persecuteth you, in vexing the faithful servants of Christ with divers and strange kinds of afflictions.”

2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.
3. To kill many of one species of animal, with the intent of removing them from human habitats.

   “Humans have been persecuting wolves in this forest for centuries.”