Pur*suit" (?), n. [F. poursuite,
fr. poursuivre. See Pursue, v. t.]
1. The act of following or going after; esp., a
following with haste, either for sport or in hostility; chase;
prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an
enemy. Clarendon.
Weak we are, and can not shun
pursuit.
Shak.
2. A following with a view to reach,
accomplish, or obtain; endeavor to attain to or gain; as, the
pursuit of knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or
pleasure.
3. Course of business or occupation; continued
employment with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits; a
literary pursuit.
4. (Law) Prosecution. [Obs.]
That pursuit for tithes ought, and of ancient
time did pertain to the spiritual court.
Fuller.
Curve of pursuit (Geom.), a curve
described by a point which is at each instant moving towards a second
point, which is itself moving according to some specified
law.