I. ˈsü verb
( sued ; sued ; suing ; sues )
Etymology: Middle English suen, suwen, siwen, sewen, from Old French sivre, suivre, suir, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin sequere, from Latin sequi to follow, come or go after; akin to Greek hepesthai to follow, Sanskrit sacati he accompanies, follows
transitive verb
1. obsolete
a. : to go in pursuit of : try to overtake : chase
b. : to come after (as in time, order, or logical sequence) : ensue upon : result from
c. : to be a follower or servant or attendant or disciple of
d. : to guide or govern by (as an intention, one's will)
e. : to engage in as a pastime, occupation, or profession : practice
f. : to follow up : prosecute , continue
2. : to make petition to or for : solicit , urge
3. : to pay court or suit to : woo
4.
a. early English law
(1) : to follow or attend upon (a feudal superior) or to resort to (the superior's mill) for the grinding of grain
(2) : to follow or seek (a court) in order to assist the court in administering justice usually as a doomster or in order to obtain justice
(3) : to follow (a person) to a court in order to act as a witness or compurgator in an action in the court
b. : to follow or go to (a court) in order to obtain legal redress
sued the court for a writ of recovery
c. : to seek justice or right from (a person) by legal process : bring an action against : prosecute judicially
d. : to proceed with (a legal action) and follow up to proper termination : gain by legal process
intransitive verb
1. : to follow someone or something
2. : to make a request or application : petition , entreat , plead — usually used with for or to
3. : to pay court or suit : woo
he loved … but sued in vain — William Wordsworth
4.
a. early English feudal law : to perform the duties or part of one who sues a superior court or person
b. : to take legal proceedings in court : seek in law
sue for damages
II.
variant of sew