• modeler@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            6
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            22 hours ago

            I’m interested! I thought both words derive from Latin prosequi/persequi and had essentially the same meaning as modern English. Which language do you speak?

            • bobs_monkey@lemm.ee
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              4
              ·
              edit-2
              20 hours ago

              They do, but in modern English it helps to break them down via the root words, here specifically the pro and per prefixes. Sequi is “follow,” while pro essentially means forward, with prosecute to be follow forward. Persecute takes the same sequi but per is now *through," as in follow through. Both of which have legal origin, but the differentiation is that prosecute is to “follow forward” in a court of law, almost as an ante, while persecute being “follow through” is more of a present verb signifying current action.

              Edit: this website is a great resource for breaking down words for meaning and origins.