Word Direct Answers

What does "sue" mean?

Sue: (Law) (a) To seek justice or right from, by legal process; to institute process in law against; to bring an action against; to prosecute judicially. (b) To proceed with, as an action, and follow it up to its proper termination; to gain by legal process.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Falconry) To clean, as the beak; -- said of a hawk.
  2. 3.(Naut.) To leave high and dry on shore; as, to sue a ship. R. H. Dana, Jr. To sue out (Law), to petition for and take out, or to apply for and obtain; as, to sue out a writ in chancery; to sue out a pardon for a criminal.
  3. 4.To seek by request; to make application; to petition; to entreat; to plead. By adverse destiny constrained to sue For counsel and redress, he sues to you. Pope. Cæsar came to Rome to sue for the double honor of a triumph and the consulship. C. Middleton. The Indians were defeated and sued for peace. Jefferson.
  4. 5.(Law) To prosecute; to make legal claim; to seek (for something) in law; as, to sue for damages.
  5. 6.To woo; to pay addresses as a lover. Massinger.
  6. 7.(Naut.) To be left high and dry on the shore, as a ship. R. H. Dana, Jr.

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