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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sew(e, Sue, v. Also: suy, saw, (suite). P.t. also sew. P.t. also suite. [ME and e.m.E. sewe (c1200), sue (c1330), suy (Wyclif), sew (c1400), AF suer, siwer, also sure, suir(e, OF seguer, sivre, siuvre, etc. (980 in Greimas), L. *sequere, popular form of sequī to follow. Cf. Persew v.] To pursue or follow, in various senses of Persew v.

I. 1. tr. To institute legal proceedings. a. To make a claim for the ownership of (something), to make a claim (to a person in authority) for redress, compensation, etc.). b. To prosecute, bring an action against (a person). c. To sue for (a divorce).a. 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 58.
Thai sewit to Sir Robert Vmfravile as lutenand of the est marche for redres & reformacyoun of thaire gudis 1583 Cal. Sc. P. VI 473.
If the duik would be content to let Angus sew by justice for the erledome off Mortoun 1659 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 234.
[James Wallace … sues Patrick Lamb … for 40 s. Scots] for the gres of one ley rig 1675 Melrose Reg. Rec. II 414.
[Alexander Trotter] has sued ane ashe trie perteining to the said persewer growand ther and avowed to cutt the samen(b) 1663 Dunkeld Presb. I 129.
Ministers whoes churches … are a laick presentatione … shall adress themselvs to their respective patrons and receave from them presentations at least in ane legall way suite for themb. 1564 Perth B. Ct. 117 (22 July).
Thomas Haliburtoun … & the remanent membris of court … to sew Christiane Dauidsounc. 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 13.
To sue a divorce aganis the king

2. To follow, go in pursuit of, seek (a person). Also fig. to sew (a person's) steppis, to follow in a person's footsteps so as to emulate him. a1500 Lanc. 2324.
And ek Gawane is gan hyme for to sew With other fourty knychtis in to cumpanyfig. c1420 Ratis R. (STS) App. iv 4.
His [sc. Virtue's] steppis sew, and dreid thé non affray

3. To follow, adopt, put into practice (a way of life, etc.), engage in a pursuit. c1460 Dietary 74.
In two thyngis stondeth all the velth Of soull and body, quho so lest thame sew [Makc. MS xiv 74 saw, Bann. MS 74a/73 insew]; Modreth fude … And cherite c1490 Porteous Noblenes 180/19 (A).
He that … lufis negligence … is liffand as ane deid man for it is na rek nor compt of his lyf that sawis [Ch. & M. sewis] nocht deligence quhilk awalkynnis all vther wertuis 1559 Balnaves in Knox III 425.
Had I suit sum mennis appetites, thar hatht been no word of the money bestowing

4. To seek, ask for (mercy, favour, etc.). a1500 Lufaris Compl. 175.
My deth I sewe with all my besynes 1513 Doug. x ii 125.
Lat ich of thame hys hoip and forton sew [L. quam quisque secat spem] c1590 Fowler I 277/71.
Yet what emboldeneth me, my God, thy mercyeis for to sew 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas iii 142.
Shall I … There sew for favour 1616 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 214.
& sure I am he than sued for no more … and … no bodie sued to tak anie thing than fra him

II. intr. 5. To follow, in the sequence of a discourse. 1404 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 57.
This endenture … hauyng pouair in the forme that suys

6. To proceed hostilely aȝanis another; to attack. a1500 Lanc. 2612.
Aȝanis them til esquyris thei sewyt Of Galiotis well xxx^ti knychtis & mo

7. To proceed, make one's way (to a place). a1500 Lanc. 3143.
The blak knycht, horsit, to the feld can sew

8. To pay suit to, pursue as a lover. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 285.
I had a lufsummar leid my lust for to slokyn, That couth … sew bot at certane tymes and in sicir placis

9. ? To sue for peace. 1548 Cal. Sc. P. I 142.
And by lake that our lords of Scotland sent no commyssion to sewe, ther for all perryshed