Chased someone or something; continued to follow a goal or interest over time.
From Old French 'pursuer,' combining 'pur-' (for) + 'suer' (to follow). It entered English after the Norman Conquest and could mean physical chasing or metaphorical pursuit of goals.
The metaphor of 'pursuing' happiness, dreams, or careers treats them like animals we're chasing—which is why it's so powerful. But neuroscience shows we're happier when we focus on the journey, not the 'catch,' which is why the cliché 'it's about the pursuit, not the prize' is actually neurologically true.
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