Mid 17th century; earliest use found in John Gauden (c1599–1662), bishop of Worcester. From classical Latin persecūt-, past participial stem of persequīpersecute + -ive.
Definition of persecutive in US English:
persecutive
adjectiveˈpəːsɪkjuːtɪv
Persecutory.
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in John Gauden (c1599–1662), bishop of Worcester. From classical Latin persecūt-, past participial stem of persequī persecute + -ive.