| 释义 |
▪ I. † sue, n. Obs.
Also su.
[Cf. succarath.]
(See quots.)
1607Topsell Four-f. Beasts 660 There is a region in the new-found world, called Gigantes, and the inhabitants thereof are called Pantagones;..they cloath themselues with the skins of a beast called in theyr owne toong Su, for by reason that this beast liueth for the most part neere the waters, therefore they cal it by the name of Su, which signifieth water. 1623Cockeram iii, Sue, a most cruell fierce beast, carrying her young vpon her backe to shadow them from the heat with her huge taile. 1688Holme Armoury ii. x. 212/2 He beareth Argent; a Sue Sable.
▪ II. sue, v.|sjuː|
Forms: 3–5 suwe, siwe, sywe, 3–7 sewe, 4–5 seue, suy(e, 4–6 swe, (pa. tense 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.]
I. Transitive senses.
†1. To follow (a person or thing in motion); occas. to tend (cattle). Also with forth. Obs.
c1290St. Brandan 460 in S. Eng. Leg. 232 So þicke huy [sc. fish] werena-boute þis schip And euere syweden it so. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 550, I haue ben his folwar al þis fifty wyntre; Bothe ysowen his sede and sued his bestes. 1421–2Hoccleve Complaint 321 My wyckednesses evar followe me, as men may se the shadow a body swe. 1426Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 8763, I ha founde a chaumberere, Me suyng at my bak behynde. c1450Mirk's Festial 49 Þes kynges sudyn þys sterre forth, tyll þay come ynto Bedeleem. c1485Digby Myst. iii. 532 Go ȝe be-fore; I sue yow ner. 1590Spenser 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.
c1380Wyclif Wks. (1880) 481 Þis was lymytid to petre & hise þat suyden þe steppis þat petre wente. c1410Master of Game (MS. Digby 182) xxv, Come ageynn þer as he gan to sewe and sewe forth þe right. c1450Godstow Reg. 23 Wold god I cowth þy steppes wel to sewe! 1548Forrest Pleas. Poesye 55 In suynge the Steppes of suche men approbate. 1596Spenser 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.
a1425Cursor M. 12200 (Trin.) Þe lettres fro alpha to tayu Wiþ dyuerse siȝte may men sew. c1435Torr. Portugal 89 Thow darryst full evyll with thy Ey hym sewe.
†2.
a. To come after, follow, succeed (in time).
1377Langl. P. Pl. B. xviii. 190 Þat Adam & Eue and alle þat hem suwed Shulde deye doune riȝte and dwelle in pyne after. c1450Mirk's Festial 28 Þes þre festys þat seuþe þe byrth of Crist. 1450Rolls of Parlt. V. 212/1 The oure of mydnyght next suyng the seid Tuesday. 1491Ibid. 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.
c1400tr. Secr. Secr., Gov. Lordsh. 43 Of euels þat seuen flesshly apetit. 1493Festivall (W. de W. 1515) 5 b, Lechery that sueth alwaye glotony. 1559Mirr. Mag., Rich. II, i, Shame sueth sinne, as rayne drops do the thunder.
†3. To go in pursuit of; to chase, pursue. Obs.
c1275Lay. 16437 Aurelie him siwede forþ. 1297R. 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! 1388Wyclif Prov. x. 4 The same man sueth briddis fleynge. c1460Towneley Myst. viii. 403 We shall not seasse to thay be slayn, For to the see we shall thaym sew. 1596Spenser 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.
a1310in Wright Lyric P. iv. 24 In sunne ant sorewe y am seint, that siweth me so fully sore. c1400tr. Secr. Secr., Gov. Lordsh. 50 Myshappe shal sone sewe him. 1510Treat. Galaunt in Furnivall Ballads fr. MSS. I. 448 Dyuers aduersytees seweth 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.
a1250Owl & Night. 1526 (Jesus MS.) Þat..syweþ þare þat noht naueþ, & haueþ atom his riche spuse. c1275Lay. 1387 And ich þe wolle siwi mid mine gode folke. c1320Cast. Love 1274 And elles-wher þer he eode, Muche folk him suwede of feole þeode. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. xi. 414 That clergye þi compaignye ne kepeth nouȝt to sue. 1382Wyclif Matt. viii. 19 Maistre, I shal sue thee, whidir euer thou shalt go. a1400Morte Arth. 81 Wyth sextene knyghtes in a soyte, sewande hym one. c1400Mandeville (1839) 226 He..commanded hem anon to make hem redy, and to sewen his Banere. c1450Merlin 210 Than cried Merlin, ‘Gentill knyghtes, what tarye ye heere so longe? suweth me!’ 1483Caxton Gold. Leg. 134 b/1 Ther were vii wymen that siewed hym whyche gadred up the dropes of hys blood. 1522Mundus & 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 n. 2). Obs.
c1380? Chaucer Balade of Compleynt 12 My worldes Ioye, whom I wol serve and sewe. 1590Spenser 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.
a1300Fall & Passion 105 in E.E.P. (1862) 15 Hou hi lord ssold siu þe. 1382Wyclif Prol. Bible i. 1 Jerom, in suynge Ebreyes, comprehendith alle these bookis in xxij. a1400Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS. 591 Suwe no wikked mon In wille nouþer in þouht. 1426Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 12040 That thow mayst swen cryst ihesu. 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. 1509Barclay 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.
a1300Fall & Passion 97 in E.E.P. (1862) 15 Þroȝ is deþ he ouer cam as he is manhed siwed. 1390Gower Conf. I. 277 And for this cause I thenke suie The forme bothe and the matiere. 1422Yonge tr. Secr. Secr. 218 The Sowle..sueth the kynde and the complexcion and the propyrteys of the body. 1463–4Rolls 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.
1362Langl. 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. a1400–50Wars Alex. 3534 Ne neuire ȝour rialte renay bot rede to sewe. 1422Yonge tr. Secr. Secr. 209 Yf a man yeuyth good consaill, thou mayste hit Su. 1509Barclay 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. 1642H. More Song of Soul i. i. 3 When skilfull limmer 'suing his intent Shall fairly well pourtray..The true proportion of each lineament. 1767Mickle 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.
c1290Beket 249 in S. Eng. Leg. 113 Pley he siwede of hauekus and of houndes. 1362Langl. P. Pl. A. xi. 242 To suche þat sewen oure beleue. c1374Chaucer Troylus i. 379 Thus toke he purpos loues craft to suwe. c1380Wyclif Wks. (1880) 17 Hou suen þei charite? 1382― 1 Pet. iii. 11 Seke he pees, and parfijtly sue it. 1390Gower Conf. I. 118 With low herte humblesce suie. a1400–50Wars Alex. 795* (Dubl.) As he þe sadyll hed sewyd seuenten wynter. c1407Lydg. Reason & Sens. 503 Me to excite Alle vertues for to sywe And vices pleynly to eschiwe. c1430― Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 28 He sued bad doctryne. c1430Hymns Virgin (1867) 67 Goo, Conscience, þou lewide asse, I kepe not þi maneris to sue. c1450St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 1047 He suld noght childres gammys su. 1470–85Malory Arthur xiii. xx. 641 The good man Ioyned syr launcelot..to sewe knyghthode. 1509Barclay Shyp of Folys (1874) I. 19 Thus am I a foole and all that sewe that guyse. 1575Gascoigne Glasse of Government Wks. 1910 II. 43 That they may shun the bad, & sew the best. 1590Spenser F.Q. ii. ii. 17 Since errant armes to sew he first began. 1591― M. Hubberd 743 At other times he casts to sew the chace Of swift wilde beasts. 1799Wordsw. 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.
1297R. Glouc. (Rolls) 10320, & to sywi þis mansinge, & þe asoylinge al so, We asigneþ þe bissop of winchestre þer to. 1393Langl. P. Pl. C. xxi. 361 Suynge my teme! c1460Sir R. Ros La Belle Dame 227 Though y sue so grete an entirprise. 1559Baldwin Mirr. Mag., Salisbury xxxvii, I, suing this so good successe, Layd siege to Orlyaunce. c1565in R. G. Marsden Sel. Pleas Crt. Admir. (1897) II. 56 They maye not macken and seyv there voyage. 1596Spenser 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 n.1 8). Obs.
c1400tr. Secr. Secr., Gov. Lordsh. 93 He..leuys faith, and suys þe lawe aȝeyn perfeccioun of lordshipe. 1449Rolls of Parlt. V. 146/2 If the seid Tresorer and Vitaler..be remysse or negligent, and..will not effectuely sue such actions. 1460Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) 304 Ani maner of materys that may othyr oght be syewyt befor Mayr and Baylyffes. 1523Fitzherb. Husb. §170 Though thou sue the lawe with charytie. 1538Starkey England (1878) 199 That ther be no cause sewyd out of the reame, except causys of scysme. 1572Huloet (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).
1297R. Glouc. (Rolls) 1232 In is owe court he ssolde Ansuerie þat echman to him siwi wolde. 1390Gower Conf. I. 168 The more he lest of that he suieth, The mor me thenketh that I winne. 1426Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 9285 Myn hertys ese for to swe, I wolde abyde (& nat remewe). 1446in 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. 360/1 Your Aumener hath sieued [of the Pope] Provision of the Deanery of youre Churche of Wellys. 1475Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 41 A man shulde not be discouraged alway to sew his right. 1500J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 215 b, They both are wont to swe and crave hys frendship right busyly. 1695Prior Prol. 21 Not that from this confession we would sue Praise undeserv'd. 1799S. Turner Hist. Anglo-Sax. ii. vi. 287 He went with twelve soldiers to sue peace of the Welchman. 1824Scott St. Ronan's xvi, They had prevented him from suing an augmentation of stipend.
with clause.1452Cal. 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.
c1407Lydg. Reason & Sens. 586 Yf he by vertu siwe kan To be lyke in condicion. 1509Fisher Funeral Serm. C'tess Richmond Wks. (1878) 292 Many sued to haue had her to maryage. 1593Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, iii. ii. 61 What Loue, think'st thou, I sue so much to get? 1606― Ant. & Cl. i. iii. 33 When you sued steying, Then was the time for words. 1624Quarles 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. 1630R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 328 The liberty to weare which [sc. arms] causes divers to sue to be souldiers. 1799Sheridan Pizarro i. i, With weariless remonstrance he sued to win me from my purpose. 1821J. 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).
a1325MS. 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]. c1412Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 4097 Golde wolde, for false emprisonyng, a writ Sue agayn þe, if he at large were. 1503–4Act 19 Hen. VII, c. 36 The same sir William suyde appele of mayme ayenst the seid sir Edward. 1507Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) 394 No maner persones..schall swe or cawse to be swyt anny writes of subpena. 1534Star Chamber Cases (Selden Soc.) II. 309 Your said oratour sued assise in the comon lawe against the said mulso. 1613Shakes. 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. 1632Massinger 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. 1680Filmer Patriarcha iii. §18. 140 If a Writ of Errour be sued in Parliament upon a Judgment given in the Kings Bench. 1817Selwyn Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. 858 A particular chattel, which the owner might be for ever deprived of, if he could not sue replevin. 1818Cruise 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.
c1412Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 1501 If a wyght haue any cause to sue To vs, som lordes man schal vndertake To sue it out. 1440Let. 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. 1534Star 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]. 1572Grindal 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. 1573in Feuillerat Revels Q. Eliz. (1908) 204 Bryan Dodmer for Botehier and charges in suyng owte the privie seale. 1596Bacon Max. & Use Com. Law i. (1630) 33 It putteth him to sue out his pardon of course. 1656Prynne 2nd Pt. Short Demurrer Jews 11 He sued forth Letters by way of Proces against him, both for the Debt and interest. 1691Act 3 Will. & Mary c. 14 §5 Before any Action brought, or Process sued out against him [etc.]. 1714Lond. Gaz. No. 5254/4 A Commission of Bankrupt Su'd forth by the said Anthony Soleirol. 1768Blackstone 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. 1779Warner in Jesse Selwyn & Contemp. (1844) IV. 35 Mrs. Newgate is suing out her habeas. 1827Hallam Const. Hist. xiii. (1876) III. 14 A party detained without any warrant must sue out his habeas corpus at common law. 1875Poste 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.1577Hanmer 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.]. 1583Babington Commandm. (1590) 139 Let all flesh fall downe before His footstoole and sewe out pardon. 1852Sir 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 n. 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 y⊇ cowrtte of y⊇ Burgage. 1438in Gross Gild Merch. (1890) II. 65 Non of them shall sew oþir at lawe. 1526Tindale Matt. v. 40 Yff eny man will sue the at the lawe. 1530Cromwell in Merriman Life & Lett. (1902) I. 329 He ys Swed in a primineri by burges. 1530Palsgr. 716/2 Gyve me my monaye, or I wyll sewe the in the law. 1570Levins Manip. 94/32 To Sew one to the lawe, in ius vocare. 1588Marprel. 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. 1670in Verney Mem. (1907) II. 296 My opinion is that he will not pay a peny till he is sued. 1711Addison Spect. No. 122 ⁋4 There is not one in the Town where he lives that he has not sued at a Quarter-Sessions. 1845Polson 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. 1858J. B. Norton Topics 266 A timber merchant in Malabar sued the proprietress of a forest for non-delivery of certain logs of wood. 1882G. 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.
a1500in Archaeologia LIX. 9 Thomas Dyconson..hath of his grete malice trobolid, swed and arrested your said supplyant. 1538in Leadam Sel. Cases Star Chamber (Selden Soc.) II. 64 Henry did wrongfully seu vex and trouble your saide subiecte. 1648Bury Wills (Camden) 214 Such of my said two brothers as..shall..sewe, molest, and trouble mine executors.
14. To petition, appeal to. rare.
c1521R. Pace in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. iii. I. 277, I sywdde hys Grace to signe the Popis lettre. 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 352 b, His sonnes obey him herein, and sending Ambassadours most earnestly and oft admonish and sue them [monent atque citant]. a1674Clarendon Surv. Leviath. (1676) 88 To sue the Soveraign, and to demand the hearing of his Cause. 1813Byron Giaour 1194 Then will I sue thee to forgive.
15. To woo, court. Also fig. arch.
1596Spenser F.Q. vi. viii. 20, I was..sude and sought with all the seruice dew. c1648–50R. Brathwait Barnabees Jrnl. iv. (1818) 153 Farewell Tank-hill, which I viewed, Lemnian Lydia, whom I sewed. 1764Goldsm. Trav. 173 No zephyr fondly sues the mountain's breast. 1830Tennyson Mermaid 43 They would sue me, and woo me, and flatter me. 1856Miss Mulock John Halifax xviii, For a penniless youth to sue a lady with a fortune.
II. Intransitive senses.
†16. To continue, proceed, go on. Obs.
c1200Trin. Coll. Hom. 85 Sume men leden erest iuel liflode, and turnen eft to god, and þeron seweð alse seinte poul. 1390Gower Conf. I. 131 Of Pride, which I schal eschuie, Now axeth forth, and I wol suie. c1400Destr. 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.
c1290Beket 419 in S. Eng. Leg. 118 Þe Mannes frend þat was a-slawe siweden ope him so faste. 1297R. 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. c1330Arth. & Merl. 9367 Arthour wald after sue. 13..E.E. Allit. P. B. 87 Swyerez þat swyftly swyed on blonkez. a1375Joseph Arim. 668 Now þe kyng comes to sarras and mony on him suwen. c1440Pallad. on Husb. v. 173 Thiderward ek wol she fle; But sewe vppon. 1441Plumpton Corr. (Camden) p. lx, [He] sewed with his said fellowship upon them & followed them unto the said towne of Helperby. c1475Partenay 137 The best for noyse A-forn the hundys ran, The houndes sewing after ful strongly. 1555T. Phaer 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.
c1400Laud Troy-bk. 8060 Erbe-de-bothe, & Cassidone, And euere among the dyamaund, Sewed wel with gode orfoyle-suand. 1418–20J. Page Siege Rouen in Archaeologia XXI. 51 Hyt [sc. the ditch] was depe..Wyth a trenche suwynge on every syde. c1420Liber Cocorum (1862) 35 Rostyd..With neck and hede suande in fere.
†18. To proceed, move, go, esp. with speed; to sally out, forth. Obs.
c1395Plowman's Tale iii. 928 The damoseles that to the daunce sewe. c1400Destr. 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. c1471Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 279 Thay seuyd owte freshly, thay kepud none araye. c1500Lancelot 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.
a1300Leg. Rood (1871) 52 [He] let hem cristny echon and siwy after his wille. c1350Will. Palerne 581 Þanne hadde þis menskful melior maydenes fele a-segned hire to serue & to seuwe hire a-boute. 1583Babington 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. 1590Spenser 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. 1382Wyclif Luke xx. 30 The firste took a wyf, and is deed, with outen sones; and the brother suwinge took hir. 1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VII. 91 In the Satirday sewynge. 1390Gower Conf. III. 123 Octobre, which bringth the kalende Of wynter, that comth next suiende. c1400Destr. Troy 13658 When Idumius was ded..Two sones of hym-selfe suet hym after. c1450Lovelich Grail lii. 971 Þat with-Inne two dayes Aftyr Sewynge he browhte hem Alle to Cristenynge. 1502Arnolde Chron. (1811) 114 From the day of makyng herof vnto the feste of M. next suyng. a1513Fabyan Chron. vii. (1811) 488 Of Englysshe kynges here lyeth the beauteuous flour Of all before passyd, and mirrour to them shall sue. a1642Gataker 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.
a1225Ancr. 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. c1386Chaucer Melib. ⁋463 The perils and yueles þat myghte sewe of vengeance takynge. c1422Lydg. Serpent of Divison (1911) 57 Þe habowndawnt schedynge of blod þat is likely to sewe. c1450Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 226 Shame sewith sone, whenne syn gooth by⁓fore. a1550Hye Way to Spittel Ho. in Hazl. E.P.P. IV. 22 Wherby dooth sue suche inconuenyence, That they must ende in meschaunt indygence. 1563Mirr. Mag., Collingbourne xxxix, Sith the gylty alwayes are suspicious, And dread the ruyne that must sewe by reason. 1567Golding Ovid's Met. v. 58 There came a Dart a skew And lighted in his Coddes the place where present death doth sew. 1597Hall 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.
a1325MS. Rawl. B. 520 lf. 55 After þat hit sewe plener⁓liche in oþer stude biþinne [orig. secundum quod inferius dicetur plenius]. 1390Gower Conf. II. 340 Nou herkne a tale next suiende. c140026 Pol. Poems 72 Skynes is oon, and sorw doþ sewe, Þe thridde hat ‘deþ’, and þe fierþe ‘drede’. c1400Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) iv. xxxiii. 81 After this it seweth to speke of the brest. 1414Rolls of Parlt. IV. 57/1 After the forme that sueth. 1482Ibid. VI. 198/2 All severall summes of money hereafter suyng in writyng assigned. 1513Bradshaw St. Werburge i. ccxxxiv, Nexte in ordre suynge sette in goodly purtrayture, Was our blessed lady.
†d. To follow by logical reasoning. Obs.
1390Gower Conf. III. 236 Be weie of skile it suieth, The man is cause, hou so befalle. c1400Pilgr. 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.
a1400Olde 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. 1579Expos. Termes Lawes 156 b, Playntife is hee that sueth or complayneth in an assyse or in an actyon personall. 1588Shakes. L.L.L. v. ii. 427 How can this be true, That you stand forfeit, being those that sue? 1613Purchas Pilgrimage 211 Dayes, in which schoole masters may not beat their schollers, nor any man will sue at the law. 1783Burke Rep. Aff. India Wks. 1842 II. 71 The moment he attempts to sue, the money may be paid into the company's treasury. 1817Selwyn Law Nisi Prius (ed. 4) II. 752 Infant executors may sue by attorney. 1898J. Mews Digest Cases 51 The person seeking to enforce it must prosecute for the criminal offence before he can sue in a civil action. 1911Wilshere 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.
1393Langl. 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. c1400Beryn 2075 Þe blynd man wist..he shuld have lost his while, To make his pleynt on Beryn, & suyd oppon his good. 1598R. Bernard tr. Terence, Andria iv. v, He is now at law for his inheritance. Hee sues for his patrimonie. 1651Hobbes Leviath. ii. xxi. 113 He hath the same Liberty to sue for his right. 1673R. Head Canting Acad. 146 She sued for Alimony. a1768Erskine Inst. Law Scot. i. vi. §44 That first [husband] hath it in his power..to sue for a divorce against her. 1856Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 115 The Prince of Wales..was under the age at which he could legally sue for such an object. 1858Ld. St. Leonards Handy-Bk. Prop. Law xxii. 175 To sue for a debt. 1901W. 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.
1540Act 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. 1712Prideaux Direct. Ch.-wardens (ed. 4) 78 They are a Corporation..and can sue or be sued. 1844Act 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. 1857Toulmin Smith Parish 99 [The churchwardens] can sue and be sued, as a corporation, in respect to it.
d. In marine insurance policies (see quots.).
1622Malynes Lex Merc. 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. 1787Durnford & 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. 1899R. 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.)
c1400Destr. Troy 1854 All he grauntes to forgyue..Iff ye send hom þat semly þat I sew fore. c1412Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 1499 If a wyght haue any cause to sue To vs. c1440York Myst. xxix. 212 Gose nowe and suye to hym selfe for þe same thyng. a1500Assemb. Ladies 332 Be nat aferd; unto her lowly sew. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 277 They be than constrayned to sue to god for succour & helpe. 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 95 They have sued for peace in vayne. 1576Gascoigne Kenelworth Castle Wks. 1910 II. 124 Bacchus shalbe sued unto for the first fruits of his Vineyards. 1593Shakes. Rich. II, i. i. 196 King. We were not borne to sue, but to command. 1598― Merry W. ii. ii. 170 Fal. Good Master Broome, I desire more acquaintance of you. Ford. Good Sir Iohn, I sue for yours. a1661Fuller Worthies, Norfolk (1662) 250 Crouds of Clients sued to him for his counsel. 1667Milton P.L. i. 111 To bow and sue for grace With suppliant knee. 1762–71H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) III. 105 He sued in vain to the king for delivery. 1770Langhorne Plutarch (1879) I. 118/2 He permitted all to sue for the consulship. 1808Wellington 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. 1862Goulburn Pers. Relig. i. xi. 175 A Liturgy..necessarily secures exact agreement among the worshippers as to the things sued for. 1865Dickens Mut. Fr. iii. iv, A blessing for which many of his superiors had sued and contended in vain. 1879Lubbock 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.
c1420? Lydg. Assembly of Gods 238 Yet shall he su to me to haue hys pese. 1513Life Hen. V. (1911) 138 They labored and sewde vnto him to haue there olde priuiledges confirmed. a1529Skelton Bouge of Courte 121 Of martchauntes a grete route Suwed to Fortune that she wold be theyre frynde. 1587Turberv. Trag. Tales 43 Haue you forgotten how you sude to him, to take a wife? 1604Shakes. Oth. iii. iii. 79 'Tis as I should..sue to you, to do a peculiar profit To your owne person. 1732Col. Rec. Penn. III. 440 Divers other Nations have..sued to them..to come into Alliance with them.
c. transf. and fig.
c1430Hymns Virgin (1867) 20 In þi doom lete merci sue! 1592Shakes. Ven. & Ad. 356 Her eyes petitioners to his eyes suing. 1657J. Smith Myst. Rhet. 147, I perswade you not to let slip occasion, whilst it..offers, nay sues to be taken. 1759Goldsm. Bee No. 2 ⁋7 Her bosom..rose suing, but in vain, to be pressed. 1859Meredith R. Feverel xv, ‘Pray let me’, she pleaded, her sweet brows suing in wrinkles.
†d. To seek after. Obs.
1548Udall, etc. Erasm. Par., Matt. vi. 45 Which sueth after earthly thynges. 1553N. 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.
1588Shakes. L.L.L. iii. i. 191 What? I loue, I sue, I seeke a wife. 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. 1596Spenser F.Q. vi. xi. 5 Yet ceast he not to sew and all waies proue, By which he mote accomplish his request. a1687Cotton Ode Love iii, With judgment now I love and sue, And never yet perfection knew, Until I cast mine eyes on her. 1805Mrs. H. Tighe Psyche i. vi, Low at her feet full many a prince had sued. 1826Wordsw. ‘Ere with cold beads of midnight dew’ 3, I grieved, fond Youth! that thou shouldst sue To haughty Geraldine.
▪ III. sue
see see, sew, shoe v., sow. |