Prosecute一词有两个含义：
(1) to commence and carry out a legal action，即发动或提起法律诉讼，例如：Because the plaintiff failed to prosecute its contractual claims, the court dismissed the suit;
(2) to institute and pursue a criminal action against (a person), 即对某人提起刑事诉讼，例如：The notorious felon has been prosecuted in seven states. (Black’s Law Dictionary. 8th ed. )可见本次的用法不仅限于刑事诉讼中的起诉，还可用于民事诉讼的提起。
Prosecutor一词亦有两个含义：
(1) a legal officer who represents the state or federal government in criminal proceedings, 即刑事诉讼中的代表国家提出检控的检察官。
(2) a private person who institutes and carries on a legal action, esp. a criminal action. (Black’s Law Dictionary. 8th ed. )可见该词也可用于指提起诉讼的个人。因此，但欲表达“公诉人”、“检察官”时，宜用public prosecutor.
Procuratorate一词在英美法律英语中无处觅得，在中国则用People’s Procuratorate来表示“人民检察院”。