sue

Etymology

From Middle English seuen, sewen, siwen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman suer, siwer et al. and Old French sivre (“to follow after”) (modern French suivre), from Vulgar Latin *sequere (“to follow”), from Latin sequi. Cognate with Italian seguire and Spanish seguir. Doublet of segue. Related to suit.

verb

1. (transitive) To file a legal action against someone, generally a non-criminal action.
   sue someone for selling a faulty product
   I plan to sue you for everything you have.
   He was sued by the late Geo. Walpole Leake for slander, and after two trials, occupying eight days, he was mulcted in heavy damages and costs. 1897, Warren Bert Kimberly, “W. Horgan”, in History of West Australia
2. (transitive, intransitive) To seek by request; to make application; to petition; to entreat; to plead.
3. (transitive, falconry, of a hawk) To clean (the beak, etc.).
4. (transitive, nautical) To leave high and dry on shore.
   to sue a ship
5. (obsolete, transitive) To court.
6. (obsolete, transitive) To follow.