[f. LAW sb.1 + SUIT sb.] A suit in law; a prosecution of a claim in a court of law.
1624. Gataker, Transubst., 131. As if in a Law-suite … a man taketh hold … of somewhat that falleth from his adversaries.
1685. Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Matt. v. 38, etc. Patience may cost you less than a Law-suit or Revenge.
1735–6. Sheridan, in Swift’s Lett. (1768), IV. 153. As I do not wear a sword, I must have recourse to the weapon in my hand. It is a better method than a law-suit.
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., II. x. 268. The bishops made themselves judges in all law suits.
1809–10. Coleridge, Friend (1865), 137. As if a mere lawsuit were carrying on between John Doe and Richard Roe!
1866. Geo. Eliot, F. Holt (1868), 16. Ah, you’ve had Durfey’s debts as well as the lawsuits.
