sue
sue
UK[suː]US[suː]
v
to make a legal claim against someone, usually to get money from them because they have done something bad to you
v
to formally ask for something, especially in a court of law or from someone in authority
Etymology
the verb 'sue' originates from the anglo-norman french 'suer', meaning 'to follow', which itself comes from the vulgar latin 'sequere', a variant of the latin 'sequi' (to follow). this legal sense evolved from the phrase 'suer a court', meaning 'to follow in a court' or 'to pursue a legal claim'. the underlying logic connects the core idea of 'following' or 'pursuing' with the modern abstract meaning of 'pursuing justice or compensation through legal proceedings'. the word entered middle english in the 13th century, shedding its longer phrasal origin to stand alone with its specialized legal meaning.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form derived from a longer legal phrase. it is not productively formed from smaller, independent morphemes in modern english.
Examples
she decided to sue the company for wrongful dismissal.
they threatened to sue if the contract was not honored.
the group is suing the government for damages.