insequi

Insequi is a Latin deponent verb meaning to follow after or to pursue. It belongs to the third conjugation of deponent verbs and has the principal parts insequor, insequi, insecutus sum. Because it is deponent, insequi uses passive forms for its tenses but conveys an active meaning: “to follow” or “to pursue.”

In usage, insequi denotes pursuing or coming after someone or something, often in a military, hunting, or tracking context. It takes the direct object in the accusative to designate what is being followed, for example, hostes insequimur, “we pursue the enemies.” It can also appear with accompanying infinitives or purpose clauses in broader narrative. The verb appears in classical Latin prose and poetry, especially in scenes describing pursuit, chases, or sequential action.

Conjugation and forms follow the patterns of other 3rd-conjugation deponent verbs. The present tense forms include insequor, insequeris, insequitur, insequimur, insequimini, insequuntur. The imperfect uses the -ebar ending, as in insequebar, insequebaris, insequebatur, insequebamur, insequebamini, insequebantur. The future employs forms such as insequar, insequeris, insequetur, insequemur, insequemini, insequentur. The perfect tense is formed with the participle inssecutus sum, yielding a meaning close to “I have pursued.” The infinitive is insequi, “to follow after.”

Etymologically, insequi derives from the root sequ- (to follow) with the prefix in- and a deponent form, aligning with related verbs in Roman literature. It is distinct from non-deponent sequor in its passive morphology and active meaning.