different between pursue vs accompany

English

Etymology

From Middle English pursuen, from Anglo-Norman pursure, poursuire etc., from Latin pr?sequor (though influenced by persequor). Doublet of prosecute.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /p??sju?/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /p???u?/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /p??su/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /p???u/

Verb

pursue (third-person singular simple present pursues, present participle pursuing, simple past and past participle pursued)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase. [from 14th c.]
   • 1382–1395, John Wycliffe et al. (translators), 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.

2. (transitive) To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.). [from late 14th c.]

   Her rival pursued a quite different course.

3. (transitive) To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.). [from late 14th c.]
   • 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.

4. (transitive) To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession). [from 15th c.]
5. (intransitive) To act as a legal prosecutor.

Derived terms

• pursuer

Related terms

• pursual
• pursuant
• pursuit

Translations

See also

• follow
• chase

Anagrams

• sure up

English

Etymology

• First attested in early 15th century.

From Middle English accompanien, from Old French acompagner (“to associate with”), from compaing (“companion”), nominative singular of compaignon (“companion”). See company.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?.?k?m.p?.ni/, /?.?k?mp.ni/
• Hyphenation: ac?com?pa?ny

Verb

accompany (third-person singular simple present accompanies, present participle accompanying, simple past and past participle accompanied)

1. (transitive) To go with or attend as a companion or associate; to keep company with; to go along with.
   • 1804 Richard Glover:

     The Persian dames, […] / In sumptuous cars, accompanied his march.

   • 1581, Philip Sidney, An Apology of Poetry, or a Defense of Poesy, Book I:

     They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts.

2. (transitive) To supplement with; add to.
4. (intransitive, music) To perform an accompanying part or parts in a composition.
5. (transitive, music) To perform an accompanying part next to (another instrument or musician).

6. (intransitive, obsolete) To associate in a company; to keep company.

   • Men say that they will drive away one another, […] and not accompanied together.

7. (intransitive, obsolete) To cohabit (with). (Can we add an example for this sense?)
8. (transitive, obsolete) To cohabit with; to coexist with; occur with.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Sir T. Herbert to this entry?)

9. To be found at the same time.

Usage notes

(to go with): Traditionally, persons were said to be accompanied by, and inanimate objects, states or conditions were said to be accompanied with. However, this distinction is not generally observed today, and by is becoming predominant.

Synonyms

• (go with): attend, escort, go with

• We accompany those with whom we go as companions. The word imports an equality of station.
• We attend those whom we wait upon or follow. The word conveys an idea of subordination.
• We escort those whom we attend with a view to guard and protect.

  A gentleman accompanies a friend to some public place; he attends or escorts a lady.

Related terms

• accompaniment

Translations