Persecution /(?)/

Per·se·cu·tion

Persecution

n.
  1. The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship.
    Persecution produces no sincere conviction.
    — Paley.
  2. The state or condition of being persecuted.
  3. A carrying on; prosecution. [Obs.]