Verb

(head)

(pursue)

Verb

(pursu)

(obsolete) To follow with harmful intent; to try to harm, to persecute, torment.

To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase.

* Wyclif Bible, John xv. 20

The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued' me, they shall ' pursue you also.

* 2009 , Martin Chulov, ‘Iraqi shoe-thrower claims he suffered torture in jail’, The Guardian , 15 Sep 09:

He now feared for his life, and believed US intelligence agents would pursue him.

To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.).

Her rival pursued a quite different course.

To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.).

* 2009 , Benjamin Pogrund, ‘Freeze won't hurt Netanyahu’, The Guardian , 1 Dec 09:

He even stands to gain in world terms: his noisy critics strengthen his projected image of a man determined to pursue peace with Palestinians.

To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession).

Verb

(persuad)

To successfully convince (someone) to agree to, accept, or do something, usually through reasoning and verbal influence. Compare sway.

That salesman was able to persuade me into buying this bottle of lotion.

* (William Shakespeare) (c.1564–1616)

We will persuade him, be it possible.

*

The boy became volubly friendly and bubbling over with unexpected humour and high spirits. He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance. Nobody would miss them, he explained.

* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=November 10, author=Jeremy Wilson, work=Telegraph

, title= England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , passage=The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott.}}

To urge, plead; to try to convince (someone to do something).

* (Bible), 2 (w) xviii. 32

Hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you.

* 1834 , (w), A Narrative of the Life of , Nebraska 1987, p. 34:

He persuaded me to go home, but I refused.

(obsolete) To convince of by argument, or by reasons offered or suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe.

* (Bible), (w) vi. 9

Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you.