Legal Definitions - pursuit

The term "pursuit" carries two primary meanings in a legal and general context. It can refer to an activity or occupation that someone engages in, often with dedication, or it can describe the act of actively following, chasing, or seeking to apprehend someone or something.

• Sense 1: An Activity or Occupation

  In this sense, "pursuit" describes a chosen activity, hobby, profession, or goal that an individual dedicates time, effort, or resources to.

  • Example 1: After retiring from her career, Dr. Anya devoted herself to the pursuit of astrophysics, enrolling in advanced university courses and conducting independent research.

    Here, "pursuit" refers to Dr. Anya's chosen intellectual activity and passion – astrophysics – which she is actively engaged in as a dedicated pastime or study.

  • Example 2: The young artist dedicated years to the pursuit of mastering classical painting techniques, traveling to various academies across Europe.

    In this context, "pursuit" signifies the artist's committed endeavor and occupation to achieve proficiency in a specific artistic skill.

• Sense 2: The Act of Chasing or Following

  This meaning refers to the act of actively following, chasing, or seeking to overtake or apprehend someone or something, often with a specific objective.

  • Example 1: Following a report of a stolen vehicle, highway patrol officers initiated a high-speed pursuit of the car across state lines.

    This illustrates "pursuit" as the direct act of chasing and attempting to apprehend individuals who are suspected of a crime, specifically to stop the vehicle and make an arrest.

  • Example 2: The investigative journalist embarked on a relentless pursuit of the truth behind the corporate scandal, interviewing dozens of sources and analyzing leaked documents.

    Here, "pursuit" describes the systematic and active effort by the journalist to follow up on leads, gather information, and uncover facts, with the goal of revealing the truth about the scandal.