2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Prosecution  \Pros`e*cu"tion\,  n.  [L.  prosecutio  a  following.] 
  1.  The  act  or  process  of  prosecuting,  or  of  endeavoring  to 
  gain  or  accomplish  something  pursuit  by  efforts  of  body 
  or  mind;  as  the  prosecution  of  a  scheme,  plan  design,  or 
  undertaking;  the  prosecution  of  war. 
 
  Keeping  a  sharp  eye  on  her  domestics  .  .  .  in 
  prosecution  of  their  various  duties.  --Sir  W. 
  Scott. 
 
  2.  (Law) 
  a  The  institution  and  carrying  on  of  a  suit  in  a  court 
  of  law  or  equity,  to  obtain  some  right  or  to  redress 
  and  punish  some  wrong  the  carrying  on  of  a  judicial 
  proceeding  in  behalf  of  a  complaining  party,  as 
  distinguished  from  defense. 
  b  The  institution,  or  commencement,  and  continuance  of  a 
  criminal  suit;  the  process  of  exhibiting  formal 
  charges  against  an  offender  before  a  legal  tribunal, 
  and  pursuing  them  to  final  judgment  on  behalf  of  the 
  state  or  government,  as  by  indictment  or  information. 
  c  The  party  by  whom  criminal  proceedings  are  instituted. 
  --Blackstone.  Burrill  Mozley  &  W. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  prosecution 
  n  1:  the  institution  and  conduct  of  legal  proceedings  against  a 
  defendant  [ant:  {defense}] 
  2:  the  lawyers  acting  for  the  state  to  put  the  case  against  the 
  defendant  [ant:  {defense}] 
  3:  the  continuance  of  something  begun  with  a  view  to  its 
  completion  [syn:  {pursuance}] 

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