sue

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To file a legal action against someone, generally a non-criminal (civil) action.

   sue someone for selling a faulty product

2. 2
   verb

   To seek by request; to make application; to petition; to entreat; to plead.

   The king of Bimsa sued for peace after Nynal's armies overran his territory; he knew any further resistance would only harm the common people.

3. 3
   verb

   To leave high and dry on shore.

   to sue a ship

4. 4
   verb

   To follow.

   And the olde knyght seyde unto the yonge knyght, ‘Sir, swith me.’

5. 5
   name

   A diminutive of the female given name Susan and of related female given names; popular as a middle name.

   For the last decade at least, the trend seems to be that more untraditional names are being chosen over the Bobs, the Toms, the Sues and the Marys.

6. 6
   verb

   institute legal proceedings against

7. 7
   verb

   To clean (the beak, etc.).

8. 8
   verb

   To court.

Etymology

From Middle English seuen, sewen, siwen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman suer, siwer et al. and Old French sivre (“to follow after”) (modern French suivre), from Vulgar Latin *sequere (“to follow”), from Latin sequi. Cognate with Italian seguire and Spanish seguir. Doublet of segue. Related to suit.