Lewis & Short

pĕr-urgĕo, ursi, 2, v. a.

  1. I. To press upon greatly, to oppress, distress: cum Aureolus perurgeret Illyrium, Treb. Gall. 5; Amm. 29, 1, 18: eum, Vulg. 1 Macc. 9, 7.
  2. II. In gen., to press or urge greatly: aliquem ad capessendam rem publicam, Suet. Tib. 25: festinationem, Treb. Trig. Tyr. 33, 8: sacra, to take great pains with, to apply one’s self earnestly to, Auct. Aetn. 226.