Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PUR-SUIT', n. [Fr. poursuite.]

1. The act of following with a view to overtake; a following with haste, either for sport or in hostility; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an enemy.
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; the pursuit of power, of honor, of distinction, of a phantom.
3. Proceeding; course of business or occupation; continued employment with a view to some end; as, mercantile pursuits; literary pursuits.
4. Prosecution; continuance of endeavor. – Clarendon.