D defs.my
Entry 3 senses Webster, 1913

Persecution

/pẽrsˌ-ək-yo͞osh'-ən/ · Per·se·cu·tion · IPA /ˌpɝsəˈkjuʃən/
01 n. The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship.
  1. 1.
    The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship.
    Persecution produces no sincere conviction.” — Paley.
  2. 2.
    The state or condition of being persecuted.
  3. 3.
    A carrying on; prosecution.[Obs.]