sue

¹

[ soo ]

verb (used with object)

, sued, su·ing.

1. to institute a process in law against; bring a civil action against:

   to sue someone for damages.

2. to woo or court.
3. Obsolete. to make petition or appeal to.

verb (used without object)

, sued, su·ing.

1. to institute legal proceedings, or bring suit:

   She threatened to sue.

2. to make petition or appeal:

   to sue for peace.

   Synonyms: pray, plead, petition, beg

3. to court a woman.

verb phrase

1. to make application for or apply for and obtain (a writ or the like) from a court of law.

Sue

²

[ soo; French sy ]

noun

1. Eu·gène [œ, -, zhen], Marie Joseph Sue, 1804–57, French novelist.
2. a female given name, form of Susan, Susanna, Susannah.

sue

¹

/ suː; sjuː /

verb

1. to institute legal proceedings (against)
2. to make suppliant requests of (someone for something)
3. archaic.
   to pay court (to)

Sue

²

/ sy /

noun

1. SueEugène18041857MFrenchWRITING: novelist Eugène (øʒɛn). original name Marie-Joseph Sue. 1804–57, French novelist, whose works, notably Les mystères de Paris (1842–43) and Le juif errant (1844–45), were among the first to reflect the impact of the industrial revolution on France

Derived Forms

• ˈsuer, noun

Other Words From

• su·er noun
• un·sued adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sue¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English suen, siwen, from Old French sivre, from unattested Vulgar Latin sequere “to follow,” for Latin sequī

Word History and Origins

Origin of sue¹

C13: via Anglo-Norman from Old French sivre, from Latin sequī to follow

Example Sentences

Sue described how soaring charges and legal threats were affecting her finances and health.

From BBC

Chris and Sue admitted their daughter had failed to attend school, missing 12 days between 4 March and 3 May.

From BBC

Dr Sue Mann, NHS England's national clinical director for women’s health, acknowledged some women wait too long for crucial gynaecology appointments, despite staff working hard to see more patients.

From BBC

A friend of Ms Gray told the BBC: "Sue has taken a decision not to take the role. She’s going to focus on other things."

From BBC

A friend of Ms Gray said: "Sue has taken a decision not to take the role. She’s going to focus on other things."

From BBC

Related Words

• accuse
• appeal
• charge
• claim
• file
• indict
• petition
• plead
• prosecute