I.v. dep. a. freq. [insequor], to pursue (class.).
I. Lit.: “impios agitant insectanturque furiae,” Cic. Leg. 1, 14, 40; cf. id. Div. 2, 70, 144: “aliquem hastis,” Plaut. Capt. 3, 4, 17: “aliquem verberibus,” to pursue with blows, Tac. A. 1, 20.—
B. Transf.: assiduis herbam insectabere rastris, pursue the weeds with diligent hoes, i. e. diligently extirpate them, Verg. G. 1, 155.—
II. Trop., to pursue with words, to censure, blame, rail at, inveigh against, speak ill of (with exagitare): “indices,” Cic. Att. 1, 16, 8: “insector ultro, atque insto accusatori: insector, inquam, et flagito testes,” id. Font. 1; cf. id. Planc. 19, 48: “aliquem maledictis,” id. Fin. 2, 25, 80: “acerbius in aliquem invehi insectarique vehementius,” id. Lael. 16, 57: “aliquem inimice,” id. N. D. 1, 3, 5: “audaciam improborum,” id. Att. 10, 1, 4: “injuriam alicujus,” id. ib. 5, 17: “librariorum inscientiam,” Quint. 9, 4, 39: “vitia,” id. 10, 1, 65: “praetextam demissam ad talos,” id. 5, 13, 39 al.: “damnum amissi corporis,” to reproach, upbraid with, Phaedr. 3, 11, 3: “de legitima insectandi alicujus causa composita oratione,” Paul. Sent. 5, 4, 15: “obsceno nomine,” id. ib. 5, 4, 21.
