Stíbení

Stíbení is a Czech noun that appears mainly in historical or literary contexts to denote the act of pursuing or seeking to bring someone to account, especially in criminal matters. The term is formed from a verb related to chasing or hindering, with the common Czech nominal suffix -ení, yielding a noun that expresses the process or action.

In contemporary use, the standard term for the prosecution or pursuit of a suspect is stíhání. Stíbení is generally considered archaic or stylistically marked and is rarely used in modern legal prose. When it does appear, stíbení tends to emphasize the act of pursuing or attempting to obtain accountability rather than the full procedural sequence of investigation, indictment, and court proceedings.

Etymologically, stíbení derives from older Slavic roots connected with pursuing or chasing. Its semantic field overlaps with related terms in other languages that refer to pursuit or prosecution, though exact meanings can vary by historical period and legal tradition.

Usage notes: because stíbení is not the common contemporary term, it may be encountered in classical legal texts, historical narratives, or literary works. In such contexts it can convey a sense of formal pursuit or the act of apprehending a suspect, sometimes with a slightly archaic tone. For clear, modern legal writing, stíhání is preferred.

See also: stíhání, trestní řízení, vyšetřování, policie, soudnictví.