Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Persecution \Per`se*cu"tion\, n. [F. pers['e]cution, L.
   persecutio.]
   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. --Locke.

   3. A carrying on; prosecution. [Obs.]

Source : WordNet®

persecution
     n : the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or
         religion)