nonsuit

[ non-soot ]

noun

1. a judgment given against a plaintiff who neglects to prosecute, or who fails to show a legal cause of action or to bring sufficient evidence.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to a nonsuit.

nonsuit

/ nɒnˈsuːt; -ˈsjuːt /

noun

1. an order of a judge dismissing a suit when the plaintiff fails to show he has a good cause of action or fails to produce any evidence

verb

1. tr to order the dismissal of the suit of (a person)

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonsuit¹

1350–1400; non- + suit; replacing Middle English nounsuyt < Anglo-French nounsute

Example Sentences

Fowler filed the initial divorce complaint before noon on February 18, but around 2:15 p.m. that same day she filed a "Notice of Voluntary Nonsuit," Us Weekly reports.

From Fox News

Fowler filed the nonsuit "without prejudice," which means the musician's wife does have the ability to file for divorce a second time.

From Fox News

“Arkansas Wins in 2020 has filed a motion for a voluntary nonsuit and will not be taking further legal action,” Taylor Riddle, a spokesman for the committee, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

From Washington Times

"I think in this case, Miss Barrington," said Withering, with a well-affected gravity, "we had better withdraw a juror, and accept a nonsuit."

From Project Gutenberg

It was contended, for the nonsuit, that after the expiration of the plaintiff's privilege granted by the state, the right to his invention became invested in the people of the state, by an implied contract with the government, and, therefore, that congress could not consistently with the constitution grant to the plaintiff an exclusive right to the invention.

From Project Gutenberg