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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Succumb, v. Also: succumbe, -omb, succum, soccombe, subcum. P.t. also succumet. P.p. also secumbit. [e.m.E. succombe, subcombe (both Caxton), succumb (1663), OF succomber (14th c. in Larousse), L. succumbere to yield, submit.]

1. intr. In law: To fail in (proving) a case.pres. c1575 Balfour Pract. 355.
He that failȝies or succumbis in preiving of ane exceptioun of falset proponit be him, may not thairefter use or alledge exceptioun of payment, or ony uther defence in that instance 1586–7 Reg. Privy C. IV 141. 1649 Dumfries Kirk S. 8 March.
It is ordained that whatsoever partie sall present or proffer any bill of slander against anie vther, and that partie sall succumb in the probatione thairoff sall (before the examinatione of the witness) pay ane dollor to the poore(b) 1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 41.
Succum(c) 16.. Hist. Kennedy 27.
This actioune being defendit be (him), Mr. Johne Russell, … subcumis thairinp.t. 1549 Stirling B. Rec. I 55.
The said Malcum tuik to preiff that the said merchandris wes tane upon the said umquhill quenis credit and succumbit in his probatioun 1565 Perth B. Ct. 349 (19 June).
This day wes assint to him to entir Johnne Rynd in Belliclone and succumbit thairin and for coistis scaithis & expens a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 23.
If they succumbit in proveing their exception, they should not be heard therefter to produce(b) 1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 39.
The said Donald Ure succumet in his probatiounp.p. 1561 Reg. Privy C. I 174.
It behuiffit the said Spanyeart to refer the mater to the saidis Lordis amicablie, utherwyise to have succumbit in his said caus 1565 Perth B. Ct. 338 (29 May).
To preif the exceptioun of bastartrie quharintill he hes succumbit 1568–9 St. A. Kirk S. 312. 1605 Dundonald Par. Rec. 75.
John Bowi … haid succumbit in his probatioun that Hev Leggat sould haif bein alyk giltie with him

2. To give way under pressure, submit, yield; ? to confess, admit one's guilt.(a) 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 48*.
The weillfair of Godis kirke so dependis apone your grace, that gif ye succumbe, it is nocht possible to it for to induir ony lang tyme 1608 Macritchie Gypsies 79.
The presbyterie ordenit him to produce [the warrant] in wreitt befoir thame … with certificatioune, and he succumbit 1629 Justiciary Cases I 131.
Sindrie innocent persones attayntit of the samyn cryme is succumbit and thaireftir hes bene fund that thai deit maist innocentlie a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 278.
In poor fokes' causes, he that hes done them wronge and succumbes should assyth the partie a1650 Row 500.
As in all nationall tryells some succumbs, sundrie did adhere to their subscription of the King's Covenant 1677 Edinb. B. Rec. X 300.
In all probabilitie they [sc. the council] will succumb in law for the said half yeares stipend(b) 1604 W. Alexander Aurora El. iii 34.
Surcharg'd with sorowes I succomb(c) 1657 Duncan Glasg. Physic. & Surg. 75.
[She said that she was] content to soccombe and undergoe the censur of the facultie(d) 1624 Linlithgow B. Rec. 22 Oct.
Charles Craufurd … hes secumbit for not entering of Andro Osuald … as he that became cautioune for his interie

b. Of a place: To yield superior status, acknowledge inferiority to (another place). 1632 Lithgow Trav. v 181.
The now decayed towne of Tharsus, who for antiquity will not succumbe to any city of Natolia

3. tr. To bring low, overwhelm. 1549 Compl. 1/16.
Thre vehement plagis quhilk hes al maist succumbit oure cuntre in final euertione 1549 Compl. 68/19.
Ane mair dolorus future ruuyne … vas aperand to succumb hyr haistylye, in the maist extreme exterminatione 1549 Compl. 71/10.
My triumphant stait is succumbit in decadens 1549 Compl. 72/7.
Quhat vengeance is this that hes succumbit ȝour honour

4. To abandon, give up. 1632 Lithgow Trav. x 435.
Arguments of religion … they succumbe, their conference onely pleading mutuall forbearance