Verb

(persecut)

To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death for one's race, sexual identity, adherence to a particular religious creed, or mode of worship.

"Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." – Matt. 5:44.

To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.

Verb

(en verb)

To undergo hardship.

To feel pain.

To have a disease or condition.

To become worse.

To endure, undergo.

* Shakespeare

If your more ponderous and settled project / May suffer alteration.

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-06, volume=408, issue=8843, page=68, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= The rise of smart beta , passage=Investors face a quandary. Cash offers a return of virtually zero in many developed countries; government-bond yields may have risen in recent weeks but they are still unattractive. Equities have suffered two big bear markets since 2000 and are wobbling again. It is hardly surprising that pension funds, insurers and endowments are searching for new sources of return.}}

(archaic) To allow.

* The U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. § 203:

"Employ" includes to suffer or permit to work.

* Section 31-36 of the Code of Montgomery County, Maryland:

*KJV, Matthew 19:14

*:But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.