pursuance

plural pursuances

1. countableuncountableA search for something; a pursuit or quest.

   [N]o man ought to be offended, that sermons are not like curious inquiries after new nothings, but pursuances of old truths.

   1653, “Twenty-five Sermons Preached at Golden Grove; Being for the Winter Half-year, […]: To the Right Honourable and Truly Noble Richard Lord Vaughan, Earl of Carbery, &c.”, in Reginald Heber, editor, The Whole Works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor, D.D. […], volume V, London: Ogle, Duncan, and Co. […]; and Richard Priestley, […], published 1822, →OCLC, page xiv

   1 more example

   About 1350 she went to Rome, partly to obtain from the pope the authorization of the new order, partly in pursuance of her self-imposed mission to elevate the moral tone of the age.

   1911, “Saint Bridget of Sweden”, in Encyclopædia Britannica, 11th edition

2. countableuncountableA completion or putting into effect of something already begun; a prosecution.

   For some time Pridger had been waiting and watching for the occasion when his employer should be the last man to leave. In pursuance of this scheme it was his custom to announce that he was going and then secrete himself.

   1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries

3. countableuncountableThe state of being pursuant; consequence.