Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Sue?

\Sue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sued}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Suing}.] [OE. suen, sewen, siwen, OF. sivre (pres.ind. 3d sing. il siut, suit, he follows, nous sevons we follow), LL. sequere, for L. sequi, secutus; akin to Gr. ?, Skr. sac to accompany, and probably to E. see, v.t. See {See}, v. t., and cf. {Consequence}, {Ensue}, {Execute}, {Obsequious}, {Pursue}, {Second}, {Sect} in religion, {Sequence}, {Suit}.] 1. To follow up; to chase; to seek after; to endeavor to win; to woo. For yet there was no man that haddle him sued. --Chaucer. I was beloved of many a gentle knight, And sued and sought with all the service due. --Spenser. Sue me, and woo me, and flatter me. --Tennyson. 2. (Law) (a) To seek justice or right from, by legal process; to institute process in law against; to bring an action against; to prosecute judicially. (b) To proceed with, as an action, and follow it up to its proper termination; to gain by legal process. 3. (Falconry) To clean, as the beak; -- said of a hawk. 4. (Naut.) To leave high and dry on shore; as, to sue a ship. --R. H. Dana, Jr. {To sue out} (Law), to petition for and take out, or to apply for and obtain; as, to sue out a writ in chancery; to sue out a pardon for a criminal.
\Sue\, v. i. 1. To seek by request; to make application; to petition; to entreat; to plead. By adverse destiny constrained to sue For counsel and redress, he sues to you. --Pope. C[ae]sar came to Rome to sue for the double honor of a triumph and the consulship. --C. Middleton. The Indians were defeated and sued for peace. --Jefferson. 2. (Law) To prosecute; to make legal claim; to seek (for something) in law; as, to sue for damages. 3. To woo; to pay addresses as a lover. --Massinger. 4. (Naut.) To be left high and dry on the shore, as a ship. --R. H. Dana, Jr.