Forms: 3–5 suwe, siwe, sywe, 3–7 sewe, 4–5 seue, suy(e, 4–6 swe, (pa. t. and pple. sude), 5–6 sew, seu, 5–7 siew, shue, (3 suu, siu, suhe, siwi, sywi, siwy, 4 siue, s(e)wy, seuwe, suie, 5 su, suew, seewe, sieu, syew, svyn, 6 suw, seyv), 4– sue. [a. AF. suer, siwer, sure, suir(e = OF. sivre, also sevre, sievre, etc. (pres. stem siu-, sieu-, seu-), mod.F. suivre:—pop.L. *sequĕre (cf. Pr. segre, seguir, It. seguire, Sp., Pg. seguir), for L. sequī to follow.]
1. Transitive senses.
† 1. To follow (a person or thing in motion); occas. to tend (cattle). Also with forth. Obs.
c. 1290. St. Brandan, 460, in S. Eng. Leg., 232. So þicke huy [sc. fish] weren a-boute þis schip And euere syweden it so.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. V. 550. I haue ben his folwar al þis fifty wyntre; Bothe ysowen his sede and sued his bestes.
1421–3. Hoccleve, Complaint, 321. My wyckednesses evar followe me, as men may se the shadow a body swe.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 8763. I ha founde a chaumberere, Me suyng at my bak behynde.
c. 1450. Mirk’s Festial, 49. Þes kynges sudyn þys sterre forth, tyll þay come vnto Bedeleem.
c. 1485. Digby Myst., III. 532. Go ȝe be-fore; I sue yow ner.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. iv. 50. It was a knight, which now her sewd.
† b. To follow (a person’s steps, a track, path). Also in fig. context. Obs.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 481. Þis was lymytid to petre & hise þat suyden þe steppis þat petre wente.
c. 1410. Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), xxv. Come ageynn þer as he gan to sewe and sewe forth þe right.
c. 1450. Godstow Reg., 23. Wold god I cowth þy steppes wel to sewe!
1548. Forrest, Pleas. Poesye, 55. In suynge the Steppes of suche men approbate.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., IV. ix. 26. As when two Barkes, this caried with the tide, That with the wind, contrary courses sew.
† c. To follow with the eyes. Obs.
a. 1425. Cursor M., 12200 (Trin.). Þe lettres fro alpba to tayu Wiþ dyuerse siȝte may men sew.
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 89. Thow darryst full evyll with thy Ey hym sewe.
† 2. a. To come after, follow, succeed (in time).
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVIII. 190. Þat Adam & Eue and alle þat hem suwed Shulde deye doune riȝte and dwelle in pyne after.
c. 1450. Mirk’s Festial, 28. Þes þre festys þat seuþe þe byrth of Crist.
1450. Rolls of Parlt., V. 212/1. The oure of mydnyght next suyng the seid Tuesday. Ibid. (1491), VI. 443/2. That no Collectour be charged of any Colleccion of II XVmes and Xmes togeders, oon ymmediatly suyng another.
† b. To follow as a consequence or result. Obs.
c. 1400. trans. Secr. Secr., Gov. Lordsh., 43. Of euels þat seuen flesshly apetit.
1493. Festivall (W. de W., 1515), 5 b. Lechery that sueth alwaye glotony.
1559. Mirr. Mag., Rich. II., i. Shame sueth sinne, as rayne drops do the thunder.
† 3. To go in pursuit of; to chase, pursue. Obs.
c. 1275. Lay., 16437. Aurelie him siwede forþ.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 2941. Þo hengist ysey þe cristinemen sywi him so vaste.
13[?]. K. Alis., 1198 (W.). No scholde foul, gret no smal, Have y-siwed Bulsifall!
1388. Wyclif, Prov. x. 4. The same man sueth briddis fleynge.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., viii. 403. We shall not seasse to thay be slayn, For to the see we shall thaym sew.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. ix. 2. Great trauell hath the gentle Calidore … sith I left him last Sewing the Blatant beast.
† b. Said of misfortune, etc. Obs.
a. 1310. in Wright, Lyric P., iv. 24. In sunne ant sorewe y am seint, that siweth me so fully sore.
c. 1400. trans. Secr. Secr., Gov. Lordsh., 50. Myshappe shal sone sewe him.
1510. Treat. Galaunt, in Furnivall, Ballads fr. MSS., I. 448. Dyuers aduersytees soweth vs yere be yere.
† 4. To follow (a person) as an attendant, companion or adherent; to accompany, attend upon; occas. to follow (a banner or the like); to frequent (a person’s company). Obs.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 1526 (Jesus MS.). Þat … syweþ þare þat noht naueþ, & haueþ atom his riche spuse.
c. 1275. Lay., 1387. And ich þe wolle siwi mid mine gode folke.
c. 1320. Cast. Love, 1274. And elles-wher þer he eode, Muche folk him suwede of feole þeode.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XI. 414. That clergye þi compaignye ne kepeth nouȝt to sue.
1382. Wyclif, Matt. viii. 19. Maistre, I shal sue thee, whidir euer thou shalt go.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 81. Wyth sextene knyghtes in a soyte, sewande hym one.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), 226. He … commanded hem anon to make hem redy, and to sewen his Banere.
c. 1450. Merlin, 210. Than cried Merlin, ‘Gentill knyghtes, what tarye ye heere so longe? suweth me!’
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 134 b/1. Ther were vii wymen that siewed hym whyche gadred up the dropes of hys blood.
1522. Mundus & Infans, 170. For seuen kynges sewen me, Bothe by daye and nyght.
† b. Phr. To serve and sue: to give ‘suit and service’ to (see SUIT sb. 2). Obs.
c. 1380. ? Chaucer, Balade Compl., 12. My worldes Ioye, whom I wol serve and sewe.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., II. vii. 9. Wherefore if me thou deigne to serue and sew, At thy commaund lo all these mountaines bee.
† 5. To take as guide, leader or pattern; to follow as a disciple or imitator. Obs.
a. 1300. Fall & Passion, 105, in E. E. P. (1862), 15. Hou hi lord ssold siu þe.
1382. Wyclif, Prol. Bible, i. 1. Jerom, in suynge Ebreyes, comprehendith alle these bookis in xxij.
a. 1400. Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS., 591. Suwe no wikked mon In wille nouþer in þouht.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 12040. That thow mayst swen cryst ihesu. Ibid. (1430–40), Bochas, VIII. Prol. (1494), C ij. I shall procede as it is to me due In these two bokis Bochas for to sue.
1493. [H. Parker], Dives & Pauper (W. de W.), I. xvi. 49/1. To lette the people to sue the Jewes in manner of worshyppyng.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), I. 183. Beware his wayes, fle hym on euery syde, Who that hym sueth both hurte and shame shall fynde.
† 6. To conform to, comply with the conditions of. Obs.
a. 1300. Fall & Passion, 97, in E. E. P. (1862), 15. Þroȝ is deþ he ouer cam as he is manhed siwed.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 277. And for this cause I thenke suie The forme bothe and the matiere.
1422. Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 218. The Sowle … sueth the kynde and the complexcion and the propyrteys of the body.
1463–4. Rolls of Parlt., V. 501/2. That every of the seid Clothes … folowe and sue … oon ordre of makyng.
† 7. To comply with (a person’s will), follow (another’s advice or one’s own inclinations or devices). Obs.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. II. 56. To be Boxum and Boun his Biddyng to folfulle,… And, as sir Simonye wol sigge, to suwen [v.rr. suyen, sewen] his wille.
a. 1400–50. Wars Alex., 3534. Ne neuire ȝour rialte renay bot rede to sewe.
1422. Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 209. Yf a man yeuyth good consaill, thou mayste hit Su.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), I. 2. Suche Unthriftes as sue theyr carnal lust. Ibid., 60. He sholde sue the counsayle of men wyse and prudent.
1642. H. More, Song of Soul, I. i. 3. When skilfull limmer ’suing his intent Shall fairly well pourtray … The true proportion of each lineament.
1767. Mickle, Concub., I. xxxiv. She conns, and freely sues her native Bent.
† 8. To follow, adopt, put into practice (a form of belief, a manner of life, a virtue or vice, an occupation or profession); to engage in, occupy oneself with (a pursuit). Obs.
c. 1290. Beket, 249, in S. Eng. Leg., 113. Pley he siwede of hauekus and of houndes.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. XI. 242. To suche þat sewen oure beleue.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troilus, I. 370. Thus toke he purpos loues craft to suwe.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 17. Hou suen þei charite? Ibid. (1382), 1 Pet. iii. 11. Seke he pees, and parfijtly sue it.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 118. With low herte humblesce suie.
a. 1400–50. Wars Alex., 795* (Dubl.). As he þe sadyll hed sewyd seuenten wynter.
c. 1407. Lydg., Reason & Sens., 503. Me to excite Alle vertues for to sywe And vices pleynly to eschiwe. Ibid. (c. 1430), Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 28. He sued bad doctryne.
c. 1430. Hymns Virgin (1867), 67. Goo, Conscience, þou lewide asse, I kepe not þi maneris to sue.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 1047. He suld noght childres gammys su.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XIII. xx. 641. The good man Ioyned syr launcelot … to sewe knyghthode.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), I. 19. Thus am I a foole and all that sewe that guyse.
1575. Gascoigne, Glasse of Government, Wks. 1910, II. 43. That they may shun the bad, & sew the best.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., II. ii. 17. Since errant armes to sew he first began. Ibid. (1591), M. Hubberd, 743. At other times he casts to sew the chace Of swift wilde beasts.
1799. Wordsw., Two April Mornings, 29. With rod and line I sued the sport Which that sweet season gave.
† 9. To prosecute, carry out (an action); to pursue (a subject); also, to follow up (an achievement). Obs.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 10320. & to sywi þis mansinge, & þe asoylinge al so, We asigneþ þe bissop of winchestre þer to.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XXI. 361. Suynge my teme!
c. 1460. Sir R. Ros, La Belle Dame, 227. Though y sue so grete an entirprise.
1559. Baldwin, Mirr. Mag., Salisbury, xxxvii. I, suing this so good successe, Layd siege to Orlyaunce.
c. 1565. in R. G. Marsden, Sel. Pleas Crt. Admir. (1897), II. 56. They maye not macken and seyv there voyage.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. x. 2. He meanes no more to sew His former quest.
† 10. To take (legal action); to institute (a legal process); to plead (a cause). Phr. to sue the law (LAW sb.1 8). Obs.
c. 1400. trans. Secr. Secr., Gov. Lordsh., 93. He … leuys faith, and suys þe lawe aȝeyn perfeccioun of lordshipe.
1449. Rolls of Parlt., V. 146/2. If the seid Tresorer and Vitaler … be remysse or negligent, and … will not effectuely sue such actions.
1460. Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889), 304. Ani maner of materys that may othyr oght be syewyt befor Mayr and Baylyffes.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 170. Though thou sue the lawe with charytie.
1538. Starkey, England (1878), 199. That ther be no cause sewyd out of the reame, except causys of scysme.
1572. Huloet (ed. Higins), Sue action of debte vpon a byll.
11. To institute a suit for, make a legal claim to; hence gen. to petition or appeal for; to seek to obtain. Now rare (superseded by sue for, 21 b).
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1232. In is owe court he ssolde Ansuerie þat echman to him siwi wolde.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 168. The more he lest of that he suieth, The mor me thenketh that I winne.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 9285. Myn hertys ese for to swe, I wolde abyde (& nat remewe).
1446. in 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., 360/1. Your Aumener hath sieued [of the Pope] Provision of the Deanery of youre Churche of Wellys.
1475. Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.), 41. A man shulde not be discouraged alway to sew his right.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 215 b. They both are wont to swe and crave hys frendship right busyly.
1695. Prior, Prol., 21. Not that from this confession we would sue Praise undeserv’d.
1799. S. Turner, Hist. Anglo-Sax., II. vi. 287. He went with twelve soldiers to sue peace of the Welchman.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, xvi. They had prevented him from suing an augmentation of stipend.
with clause. 1452. Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889), 277. No maner of men that dwellyth wythin the seid cite shuld not sywe that himselffe shoulde be in no queste of enditemet.
b. Const. inf. (occas. gerund): To petition to be allowed, (hence) to seek to do or to be something. arch.
c. 1407. Lydg., Reason & Sens., 586. Yf he by vertu siwe kan To be lyke in condicion.
1509. Fisher, Funeral Serm. C’tess Richmond, Wks. (1878), 292. Many sued to haue had her to maryage.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., III. ii. 61. What Loue, think’st thou, I sue so much to get? Ibid. (1606), Ant. & Cl., I. iii. 33. When you sued steying, Then was the time for words.
1624. Quarles, Job Milit., Wks. (Grosart), II. 91/1. I’m turn’d a laughing-stock To boyes, and those that su’d to tend my Flock.
1630. R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 328. The liberty to weare which [sc. arms] causes divers to sue to be souldiers.
1799. Sheridan, Pizarro, I. i. With weariless remonstrance he sued to win me from my purpose.
1821. Joanna Baillie, Metr. Leg., Columbus, xlii. The ship’s brave captain … kindly sued to set him free.
12. spec. To make application before a court for the grant of (a writ or other legal process): often with implication of further proceedings being taken upon the writ, etc.; hence, to put in suit, to enforce (a legal process).
a. 1325. MS. Rawl. B. 520, fol. 52 b. Therfore ne be ileued þat te atachemens ne ben uersliche isiwede [orig. qe les attachementz ne soient fetz freschement sur les felonies faites].
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 4097. Golde wolde, for false emprisonyng, a writ Sue agayn þe, if he at large were.
1503–4. Act 19 Hen. VII., c. 36. The same sir William suyde appele of mayme ayenst the seid sir Edward.
1507. Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889), 394. No maner persones … schall swe or cawse to be swyt anny writes of subpena.
1534. Star Chamber Cases (Selden Soc.), II. 309. Your said oratour sued assise in the comon lawe against the said mulso.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., III. ii. 341. Because all those things you haue done of late … Fall into th’ compasse of a Premunire; That therefore such a Writ be sued against you.
1632. Massinger, City Madam, I. iii. Sir John. How much owes Penurie? Goldwire. Two hundred pounds: His Bond three times since forfeited. Sir John. Is it su’d? Goldwire. Yes Sir, and execution out against him.
1680. Filmer, Patriarcha, iii. § 18. 140. If a Writ of Errour be sued in Parliament upon a Judgment given in the Kings Bench.
1817. W. Selwyn, Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4), II. 858. A particular chattel, which the owner might be for ever deprived or, if he could not sue replevin.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), I. 494. If a trustee has conveyed away the lands, by the direction of the cestui que trust, before execution sued, they cannot be taken in execution.
b. more freq. to sue out, † forth.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 1501. If a wyght haue any cause to sue To vs, som lordes man schal vndertake To sue it out.
1440. Lett., in J. Stevenson, Lett. & P. (Rolls), II. 306. The place in Corylonde … ys sesyde in to the cheffe lordes handes of the fee for defaute of claym of yow; the whiche youre frendes wolde have sewede ouȝt, yf theye hadde wyst … that ye hadde been alyve.
1534. Star Chamber Cases (Selden Soc.), II. 214. Your saide subiect … hathe sewyd owte of your courte of Chancerye your wrytez of Replegiare alios [= alias] and plures [= pluries].
1572. Grindal, Injunct. Dean & Chapter York, in Remains (1843), 150. When extracts … of testaments and obligations should be sued forth, oftentimes the same could not be found.
1573. in Feuillerat, Revels Q. Eliz. (1908), 204. Bryan Dodmer for Botehier and charges in suyng owte the privie seale.
1596. Bacon, Max. & Use Com. Law, I. (1630), 33. It putteth him to sue out his pardon of course.
1656. Prynne, 2nd Pt. Short Demurrer Jews, 11. He sued forth Letters by way of Proces against him, both for the Debt and interest.
1691. Act 3 Will & Mary, c. 14 § 5. Before any Action brought, or Process sued out against him [etc.].
1714. Lond. Gaz., No. 5254/4. A Commission of Bankrupt Su’d forth by the said Anthony Soleirol.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. xviii. 273. To this end he is to sue out, or purchase by paying the stated fees an original or original writ, from the court of chancery.
1779. Warner, in Jesse, Selwyn & Contemp. (1844), IV. 35. Mrs. Newgate is suing out her habeas.
1827. Hallam, Const. Hist., xiii. (1876), III. 14. A party detained without any warrant must sue out his habeas corpus at common law.
1875. Poste, Gaius, III. 343. After a man’s body was taken in execution, no other process could be sued out against his lands or his goods.
transf. and fig. 1577. Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619), 376. He got him in all the haste to Constantinople, and sued out a commandement from the Lieutenant of that province for [etc.].
1583. Babington, Commandm. (1590), 139. Let all flesh fall downe before His footstoole and sewe out pardon.
1852. Sir W. Hamilton, Discuss. (1853), 6, note. If these [words] did not already enjoy a prescriptive right, as denizens of the language…, they would be well entitled to sue out their naturalization.
c. To sue, sue out, sue forth (one’s) livery: see LIVERY sb. 5 a.
13. To institute legal proceedings against (a person); to prosecute in a court of law; to bring a civil action against. In full, to sue at († at the, † in the, † to the) law.
Prov. Sue a beggar and catch a louse: see BEGGAR 1 c.
14[?]. Customs of Malton, in Surtees Misc. (1890), 59. No Burgese, nor noo odyr man … schall sew one a nodyr bot alonely in ye cowrtte of ye Burgage.
1438. in Gross, Gild Merch. (1890), II. 65. Non of them shall sew oþir at lawe.
1526. Tindale, Matt. v. 40. Yff eny man will sue the at the lawe.
1530. Cromwell, in Merriman, Life & Lett. (1902), I. 329. He ys Swed in a primineri by burges.
1530. Palsgr., 716/2. Gyve me my monaye, or I wyll sewe the in the law.
1570. Levins, Manip., 94/32. To Sew one to the lawe, in ius vocare.
1588. Marprel. Epist. (Arb.), 33. Sir (sayd they) shew vs your discharge, and wee are satisfied. No (quoth-he) I will shew you none, go sue me, go sue me.
1589. [? Lyly], Pappe w. Hatchet, in L.’s Wks. (1902), III. 413. If thou sue me for a double maime, I care not though the Iurie allow thee treble damages. Ibid. (1670), in Verney Mem. (1907), II. 296. My opinion is that he will not pay a peny till he is sued.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 122, ¶ 4. There is not one in the Town where he lives that he has not sued at a Quarter-Sessions.
1845. Polson, Eng. Law, in Encycl. Metrop., II. 825/1. A partner cannot sue his co-partner at law in respect of anything connected with or involving the consideration of the partnership accounts.
1858. J. B. Norton, Topics, 266. A timber merchant in Malabar sued the proprietress of a forest for non-delivery of certain logs of wood.
1882. G. Seton, Mem. A. Seton, ii. 35. Having been deprived of his stipend by the king, Bruce sued the Crown in the Court of Session, and obtained a decision in his favour.
† b. In collocation with other verbs expressing annoyance or persecution. Obs.
a. 1500. in Archaeologia, LIX. 9. Thomas Dyconson … hath of his grete malice trobolid, swed and arrested your said supplyant.
1538. in Leadam, Sel. Cases Star Chamber (Selden Soc.), II. 64. Henry did wrongfully seu vex and trouble your saide subiecte.
1648. Bury Wills (Camden), 214. Such of my said two brothers as … shall … sewe, molest, and trouble mine executors.
14. To petition, appeal to. rare.
c. 1521. R. Pace, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. I. 277. I sywdde hys Grace to signe the Popis lettre.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 352 b. His sonnes obey him herein, and sending Ambassadours most earnestly and oft admonish and sue them [moment atque citant].
a. 1674. Clarendon, Surv. Leviath. (1676), 88. To sue the Soveraign, and to demand the hearing of his Cause.
1813. Byron, Giaour, 1194. Then will I sue thee to forgive.
15. To woo, court. Also fig. arch.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. viii. 20. I was … sude and sought with all the seruice dew.
c. 1648–50. Brathwait, Barnabees Jrnl., IV. (1818), 153. Farewell Tank-hill, which I viewed, Lemnian Lydia, whom I sewed.
1764. Goldsm., Trav., 173. No zephyr fondly sues the mountain’s breast.
1830. Tennyson, Mermaid, 43. They would sue me, and woo me, and flatter me.
1856. Miss Mulock, J. Halifax, xviii. For a penniless youth to sue a lady with a fortune.
II. Intransitive senses.
† 16. To continue, proceed, go on. Obs.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 85. Sume men leden erest iuel liflode, and turnen eft to god, and þeron seweð alse seinte poul.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 131. Of Pride, which I schal eschuie, Now axeth forth, and I wol suie.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1475. Of his sonnes to say or I sew ferre, Ector was oldist & heire to hym seluyn.
† 17. To follow after a person or thing in motion; to follow as an attendant or adherent; to go in chase or pursuit: freq. with after, on, upon preps. and advs. Obs.
c. 1290. Beket, 419, in S. Eng. Leg., 118. Þe Mannes frend þat was a-slawe siweden ope him so faste.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 460. Hii þat miȝte ofscapie bigonne to fle vaste Hii of troye siwede wiþ oute eni feintise.
13[?]. Coer de L., 5040. He smot Favel with spores off golde, Sewe hym that sewe wolde.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 9367. Arthour wald after sue.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 87. Swyerez þat swyftly swyed on blonkez.
a. 1375. Joseph Arim., 668. Now þe kyng comes to sarras and mony on him suwen.
c. 1440. Pallad. on Husb., V. 173. Thiderward ek wol she fle; But sewe vppon.
1441. Plumpton Corr. (Camden), p. lx. [He] sewed with his said fellowship upon them & followed them unto the said towne of Helperby.
c. 1475. Partenay, 137. The best for noyse A-forn the hundys ran, The houndes sewing after ful strongly.
1555. Phaër, Æneid, II. E j. Euen among the middes he lept, with will to die, and wee Him after sued.
† b. To go along with or accompany something mentioned or implied. Obs.
c. 1400. Laud Troy-Bk., 8060. Erbe-de-bothe, & Cassidone, And euere among the dyamaund, Sewed wel with gode orfoyle-suand.
1418–20. J. Page, Siege Rouen, in Archaeologia, XXI. 51. Hyt [sc. the ditch] was depe … Wyth a trenche suwynge on every syde.
c. 1420. Liber Cocorum (1862), 35. Rostyd … With neck and hede suande in fere.
† 18. To proceed, move, go, esp. with speed; to sally out, forth. Obs.
c. 1395. Plowman’s Tale, III. 928. The damoseles that to the daunce sewe.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 687. Þen suet þai with solas into a sure chamber. Ibid., 820. He sues furth on þe soile to Chethes the kyng. Ibid., 11109. Yet sadly ho sete, sewit hym agayne.
c. 1471. Pol. Poems (Rolls), II. 279. Thay seuyd owte freshly, thay kepud none araye.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 3145. The blak knycht, horsit, to the feld can sew.
† 19. To do service or homage: chiefly in phr. serve and sue (cf. 4 b). Obs.
a. 1300. Leg. Rood (1871), 52. [He] let hem cristny echon and siwy after his wille.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 581. Þanne hadde þis menskful melior maydenes fele a-segned hire to serue & to seuwe hire a-boute.
1583. Babington, Commandm. (1590), 11. O how doo men … seeke it, sew and serve for it, their care both day and night is how to attaine the fastest to it.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. v. 47. What bootes thy seruice bace To her, to whom the heauens do serue and sew? Ibid., x. 9. He did her seruice dewtifull, and sewed At hand with humble pride.
† 20. a. To follow in time or in a succession of persons. Nearly always in pr. pple. Obs.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 501. Vche sesoun serlepes sued after oþer.
1382. Wyclif, Luke xx. 30. The firste took a wyf, and is deed, with outen sones; and the brother suwinge took hir.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VII. 91. In the Satirday sewynge.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 123. Octobre, which bringth the kalende Of wynter, that comth next suiende.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 13658. When Idumius was ded … Two sones of hym-selfe suet hym after.
c. 1450. Lovelich, Grail, ii. 971. Þat with-Inne two dayes Aftyr Sewynge he browhte hem Alle to Cristenynge.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 114. From the day of makyng herof vnto the reste of M. next suyng.
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron., VII. (1811), 488. Of Englysshe kynges here lyeth the beauteuous flour Of all before passyd, and mirrour to them shall sue.
a. 1642. Gataker, Whitgift, in Fuller, Abel Rediv. (1867), II. 197. Being an understanding man, he might shrewdly guess at those things that shortly after sued.
† b. To follow in the sequence of events, as a consequence or result; to ensue. Obs.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 208. Auh ȝif hit ne suweð [v.r. suheð] her, þe teil & þe attri ende is þe eche pine of helle.
13[?]. Bonaventura’s Medit., 402. Þy pyne shal sone be ouerpaste, And ioye shal sewe euer for to last.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 463. The perils and yueles þat myghte sewe of vengeance takynge.
c. 1422. Lydg., Serpent of Division (1911), 57. Þe habowndawnt schedynge of blod þat is likely to sewe.
c. 1450. Pol. Poems (Rolls), II. 226. Shame sewith sone, whenne syn gooth byfore.
a. 1500. Hye Way to Spittel Ho., in Hazl., E. P. P., IV. 22. Wherby dooth sue suche inconuenyence, That they must ende in meschaunt indygence.
1563. Mirr. Mag., Collingbourne, xxxix. Sith the gylty alwayes are suspicious, And dread the ruyne that must sewe by reason.
1567. Golding, Ovid’s Met., V. 58. There came a Dart a skew And lighted in his Coddes the place where present death doth sew.
1597. Hall Sat., I. Prol. 16. Infamy dispossest of native due Ordained of old on looser life to sue.
† c. To follow in an arrangement, in the sequence of a discourse, etc. Obs.
a. 1325. MS. Rawl. B. 520, lf. 55. After þat hit sewe plenerliche in oþer stude biþinne [orig. secundum quod inferius dicetur plenius].
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 340. Nou herkne a tale next suiende.
c. 1400. 26 Pol. Poems, 72. Syknes is oon, and sorw doþ sewe, Þe thridde hat ‘deþ,’ and þe fierþe ‘drede.’
c. 1400. Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483), IV. xxxiii. 81. After this it seweth to speke of the brest.
1414. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 57/1. After the forme that sueth. Ibid. (1482), VI. 198/2. All severall summes of money hereafter suyng in writyng assigned.
1513. Bradshaw, St. Werburge, ccxxxiv. Nexte in ordre suynge sette in goodly purtrayture, Was our blessed lady.
† d. To follow by logical reasoning. Obs.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 236. Be weie of skile it suieth, The man is cause, hou so befalle.
c. 1400. Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483), V. xiv. 108. Yf he were myghty, than myght he gette connyng, but he maye not gete it, why hit seweth that in hym is feblesse and grete vnmyght.
21. To make legal claim; to institute legal proceedings; to bring a suit.
a. 1400. Olde Vsages Winchestre, in Eng. Gilds (1870), 361. Ȝif he in þe fourty dayes comeþ in-to towne, and he wele sewy, be a-ȝen somened vp-on þe somaunce a-fore y-seyd.
1579. Expos. Termes Lawes, 156 b. Playntife is hee that sueth or complayneth in an assyse or in an actyon personall.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., V. ii. 427. How can this be true, That you stand forfeit, being those that sue?
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage, 211. Dayes, in which schoole masters may not beat their schollers, nor any man will sue at the law.
1783. Burke, Rep. Aff. India, Wks. 1842, II. 71. The moment he attempts to sue, the money may be paid into the company’s treasury.
1817. W. Selwyn, Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4), II. 752. Infant executors may sue by attorney.
1898. J. Mews, Digest Cases, 51. The person seeking to enforce it must prosecute for the criminal offence before he can sue in a civil action.
1917. Wilshere, Elem. Crim. Law (ed. 2), 4. When a person sues in an action for libel or assault he does not sue on behalf of the public.
b. Const. for († upon) that in respect of which a claim is made.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. IV. 370. Þat is noȝt reisonable ne rect to refusy my syres sorname, Sitth y, his sone and seruaunt, suwe for his ryghte.
c. 1400. Beryn, 2075. Þe blynd man wist … he shuld have lost his while, To make his pleynt on Beryn, & suyd oppon his good.
1598. R. Bernard, trans. Terence, Andria, IV. v. He is now at law for his inheritance. Hee sues for his patrimonie.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxi. 113. He hath the same Liberty to sue for his right.
1673. R. Head, Canting Acad., 146. She sued for Alimony.
a. 1768. Erskine, Inst. Law Scot., I. vi. § 44. That first [husband] hath it in his power … to sue for a divorce against her.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. ii. 115. The Prince of Wales … was under the age at which he could legally sue for such an object.
1858. Ld. St. Leonards, Handy-Bk. Prop. Law, xxii. 175. To sue for a debt.
1901. W. R. H. Trowbridge, Lett. her Mother to Eliz., xxii. 105. Connie Metcalfe is suing for breach of promise,—ten thousand pounds damages.
c. phr. To sue and be sued.
1540. Act 32 Hen. VIII., c. 42 § 1. Whiche company of Barbours be incorporated to sue and be sued by the name of Maistres … of the … commynaltie of the Barbours of London.
1712. Prideaux, Direct. Ch.-wardens (ed. 4), 78. They are a Corporation … and can sue or be sued.
1844. Act 7 & 8 Vict., c. 113 § 47. Every Company [of Bankers] of more than Six Persons … shall have the same Powers and Privileges of suing and being sued in the Name of any one of the public Officers of such Copartnership.
1857. Toulmin Smith, Parish, 99. [The churchwardens] can sue and be sued, as a corporation, in respect to it.
d. In marine insurance policies (see quots.).
1622. Malynes, Lex Mercat., xxv. 154. That in case of any misfortune, it is lawfull for him [sc. the assured] … to sue, labour and trauell for in and about the defence, safegard, or recouerie of the goods.
1787. Durnford & East, Rep. Cases, I. 612. There is … in every policy a clause which enables the assured, in case of any loss or misfortune, to sue, labour, and travail, for the recovery of the goods, without prejudice to the insurance.
1899. R. G. Marsden, Digest Cases Shipping, etc., 1268. Sue and Labour Clause.
22. To make one’s petition or supplication to a person for a person or a thing; to plead, appeal, supplicate. (Also in indirect passive.)
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1854. All he grauntes to forgyue … Iff ye send hom þat semly þat I sew fore.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 1499. If a wyght haue any cause to sue To vs.
c. 1440. York Myst., xxix. 212. Gose nowe and suye to hym selfe for þe same thyng.
a. 1500. Assemb. Ladies, 332. Be nat aferd; unto her lowly sew.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 277. They be than constrayned to sue to god for succour & helpe.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 95. They have sued for peace in vayne.
1576. Gascoigne, Kenelworth Castle, Wks. 1910, II. 124. Bacchus shalbe sued unto for the first fruits of his Vineyards.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., I. i. 196. King. We were not borne to sue, but to command. Ibid. (1598), Merry W., II. ii. 170. Fal. Good Master Broome, I desire more acquaintance of you. Ford. Good Sir Iohn, I sue for yours.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Norfolk (1662), 250. Crouds of Clients sued to him for his counsel.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 111. To bow and sue for grace With suppliant knee.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), III. 105. He sued in vain to the king for delivery.
1770. Langhorne, Plutarch (1879), I. 118/2. He permitted all to sue for the consulship.
1808. Wellington, in Gurw., Desp. (1837), IV. 127. We ought not to be kept for ten days on our field of battle before the enemy (who sued on the day after the action) is brought to terms.
1862. Goulburn, Pers. Relig., I. xi. 175. A Liturgy … necessarily secures exact agreement among the worshippers as to the things sued for.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., III. iv. A blessing for which many of his superiors had sued and contended in vain.
1879. Lubbock, Addr. Pol. & Educ., vii. 143. But what country would be compelled to sue for peace by the loss of its shipping?
† b. Const. inf. or clause denoting what is sought for. Obs.
c. 1420. ? Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 238. Yet shall he su to me to haue hys pese.
1513. Life Hen. V. (1911), 138. They labored and sewde vnto him to haue there olde priuiledges confirmed.
a. 1529. Skelton, Bouge of Courte, 121. Of martchauntes a grete route Suwed to Fortune that she wold be theyre frynde.
1587. Turberv., Trag. Tales, 43. Haue you forgotten how you sude to him, to take a wife?
1604. Shaks., Oth., III. iii. 79. ’Tis as I should … sue to you, to do a peculiar profit To your owne person.
1732. Col. Rec. Penn., III. 440. Divers other Nations have … sued to them … to come into Alliance with them.
c. transf. and fig.
c. 1430. Hymns Virgin (1867), 20. In þi doom lete merci sue!
1592. Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 356. Her eyes petitioners to his eyes suing.
1657. J. Smith, Myst. Rhet., 147. I perswade you not to let slip occasion, whilst it … offers, nay sues to be taken.
1759. Goldsm., Bee, No. 2, ¶ 7. Her bosom … rose suing, but in vain, to be pressed.
1859. Meredith, R. Feverel, xv. ‘Pray let me,’ she pleaded, her sweet brows suing in wrinkles.
† d. To seek after. Obs.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par., Matt. vi. 45. Which sueth after earthly thynges.
1553. Grimalde, Cicero’s Offices (1558), Pref. In case a man loue any one parte of himselfe to much: or sew after the end therof by a wrong way.
23. To be a suitor to a woman. arch.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., III. i. 191. What? I loue, I sue, I seeke a wife. Ibid. (1591), Two Gent., II. i. 143. My Master sues to her: and she hath taught her Sutor, He being her Pupill, to become her Tutor.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. xi. 5. Yet ceast he not to sew and all waies proue, By which he mote accomplish his request.
c. 1687. Cotton, Ode Love, iii. With judgment now I love and sue, And never yet perfection knew, Until I cast mine eyes on her.
1805. Mrs. H. Tighe, Psyche, I. vi. Low at her feet full many a prince had sued.
1826. Wordsw., ‘Ere with cold beads of midnight dew,’ 3. I grieved, fond Youth! that thou shouldst sue To haughty Geraldine.
