I. (ˈ) ̷ ̷ at non- + noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French nounsuyte, from noun- non- (I) + Old French suite, sieute following, pursuit — more at suit
: a judgment given against a plaintiff because of his failure to prosecute his case or his inability to establish a prima facie case at the trial
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English non suit, from nonsuit, n.
archaic : nonsuited
III. transitive verb
Etymology: nonsuit (I)
1. : to determine, adjudge, or record (a plaintiff) as having terminated a suit by default or failure to establish a good cause of action : subject to a nonsuit — used in strict common-law practice only of the termination of the suit on motion of the defendant against a defaulting plaintiff but in modern practice of other terminations of a case not on the merits (as by a nolle prosequi); compare discontinuance
2. obsolete : to deny the suit of