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A plea, by the defendant, in a criminal prosecution, which, without admitting guilt, subjects him to all the consequences of a plea of quilty.

An alliance or association of persons for the prosecution of an undertaking or a business on joint account; a company; a firm; a house; as, to form a partnership.

A carrying on; prosecution. [Obs.]

The act of persevering; persistence in anything undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun. "The king-becoming graces . . . perseverance, mercy, lowliness." Shak. Whose constant perseverance overcame Whate'er his cruel malice could invent. Milton.

The form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages, according to the principles of law and the rules laid down by the courts. Bouvier.

A preliminary examination of a criminal case with reference to a prosecution. Erskine.

To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.

A sham dealer; one who colludes with a defendant in a sham prosecution.

The course of procedure in the prosecution of an action at law. Blackstone. Proceedings of a society, the published record of its action, or of things done at its meetings.

superior tribunal, directed to an inferior court, commanding the latter to cease from the prosecution of a suit depending before it. Blackstone.

Capable of being prosecuted; liable to prosecution.

To institute and carry on a legal prosecution; as, to prosecute for public offenses. Blackstone.

The state of being pursuant; consequence. In pursuance of, in accordance with; in prosecution or fulfillment of.

Acting in consequence or in prosecution (of anything); hence, agreeable; conformable; following; according; -- with to or of. The conclusion which I draw from these premises, pursuant to the query laid down, is, etc. Waterland.

ng 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.

r process for the recovery of a right or claim; legal application to a court for justice; prosecution of right before any tribunal; as, a civil suit; a criminal suit; a suit in chancery. I arrest thee at the suit of Count Orsino. Shak. In England the several suits, or remedial instruments of justice, are distinguished…

To allow the prosecution of; to admit as valid; to sanction; to continue; not to dismiss or abate; as, the court sustained the action or suit.

f body or mind; powerful; strong; forcible; energetic; as, vigorous exertions; a vigorous prosecution of a war. The beginnings of confederacies have been always vigorous and successful. Davenant. -- Vig"or*ous*ly, adv. -- Vig"or*ous*ness, n.