[f. SUE v. + -ING1.]
† 1. The following of a person or thing; the pursuance of a course of action; the carrying out or execution of something. Obs.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 10323. & to sywi þis mansinge,… We asigneþ þe bissop of winchestre þer to,… [and] Of roucetre & of salesburi þe siwinge to do.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 375. Bi manere of suynge of Crist in perfit weie of vertues. Ibid. (1382), 2 Macc. ii. 32. For to eschewe out suyngus of thingus [orig. executiones rerum vitare].
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 483/2. Suwynge, or folowynge yn maners and condycyons, imitacio. Ibid., Suwynge, of [? or] folowynge of steppys.
c. 1465. Eng. Chron. (Camden), 50. The presence of bothe kyngis moste nedis be had, what for settyng to of thair selis, what for the mariage sewyng.
b. A course, direction. Obs.
c. 1410. Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), xxx. He muste loke þat he take not þe longe of þe wayes, for it is þe werste sewynge þat is.
† 2. Succession in time or order of events, etc. By suing: in consequence, consequently. Obs.
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 63. Þe same sekenez þat comeþ of þe vice of menstruez, come also of þe emoroid, & econverso; and so by sewyng þat þai acorde in cure. Ibid., 88. Wherfor þe bolnyng in þe wounde is augmented and, by sewyng, þe ake; for þe tone is occasion of þe toþer.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 483/2. Svynge, or folwynge a sundry tymys (… P. suynge of tyme), successus.
† 3. ? Proportion. (Cf. SUING ppl. a. 3.)
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XIX. 63. Men may seo on an appultreo meny tyme and ofte, Of o kynne apples aren nat yliche grete, Ne of sewynge smale ne of o swetnesse swete.
4. ‘Pursuing’ at law; legal prosecution or suit; application for a writ. Also suing forth.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 485/1. Sute, or suynge yn maters and cawsys, prosecucio.
1563. Homilies, II. Rogation Week, iv. Saint Paule blamed the Corinthians, for suche contentious suyng amonge them selues.
1570–6. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 144. They fell to suing, provoking, and brawling.
1589. Nashe, Martins Months Minde, Wks. (Grosart), I. 146. The Suing of Martin Senior his liuerie.
1607. Cowell, Interpr., s.v. Parson, He … representeth the church, and susteineth the person thereof, as well in siewing, as being siewed in any action.
1633. Stafford, Pac. Hib., I. xvi. 97. To be at the charge of suing foorth of their pardons.
1668. Ormonde MSS., in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 78. Your order for the sueing of the said John Baxter.
1712. Prideaux, Direct. Ch.-wardens (ed. 4), 32. They are a Corporation, and capable of Suing and being Sued.
b. Suing and labouring clause: = sue and labour clause (see SUE v. 21 d).
1899. R. G. Marsden, Digest Cases Shipping, 580. General average and salvage do not come within either the words or the object of the suing and labouring clause of a policy of marine assurance.
5. The action of a suitor; paying court; entreaty, supplication.
1591. Spenser, M. Hubberd, 896. Full little knowest thou that hast not tride, What hell it is, in suing long to bide.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus, Ann., XIII. vii. (1622), 189. Great suings preuailed so much for Eprius Marcellus,… that some of the accusers were banished.
1741. Middleton, Cicero (1742), II. vi. 151. When Milo offered to drop his suit for the Consulship … he answered, that he would not concern himself with any man’s suing or desisting.
1820. Byron, Mar. Fal., V. i. 392. Thy suing to these men were but the bleating Of the lamb to the butcher.
1847. Clough, Quest. Spirit, 10 Poems (1862), 32. This answer gave they still unto his suing, We know not, let us do as we are doing.
