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

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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.

Suting, Suiting, vbl. n. Also: suteing, swting, sutt(e)ing, suitting, switting, soting, sewtyng. [e.m.E. sewtinge (c1540); Sut(e v.] The action of Sut(e v., in senses 3 to 7.

1. Petitioning, soliciting (for something). 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I 473.
Suting [for a continuance of farther amity] 1685 Skene Mem. Burghs 39.
To … use all means that may crush ambition, brybing or unlawfull suteing for places of magistracy

2. Trying to obtain (a thing or benefit) or bring about (a desired result). Also const. of (the thing desired), and to be.(1) 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I 527.
In sewtyng my lordis remeit and perdone 1569 Reg. Privy C. II 64.
Rather willing to have obedience with the saidis provestis and baillies nor of suting thair hurt be uptaking of thair eschetis 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 101.
Suteing 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 333.
Hast thou this strength given thee to persevere in suiting anything? 1603 Moysie 58.
Ane nobleman wes come out of France for suitting her releife 1604 Conv. Burghs II 169.
For switting sic writtis as thai haue … to do with at this present parliament a1651 Calderwood III 52.
In suting and procuring … her aide and support against his owne native countrie(2) 1561 Reg. Privy C. I 163.
To charge … all utheris personis fra all suting or persewing of the saidis confirmationis 1565–6 Edinb. Old Acc. I 506.
For wax to seill the tua commissions for suitting of the xviij^m marks, xij d. 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 183.
The ministeris called proud knavis, with other injurious wordis, be the lordis, for suteing of thair libertie 1579 Conv. Burghs I 82.
For suting of redres of the schippis … pilleit be the Inglismen 1579–80 Reg. Privy C. III 269.
Suitting 1581 Conv. Burghs I 129.
The sovme of tuenty merkis … promeist to him for his paynis and travell tane for suting, writing, and forming of the comptes 1582 Cal. Sc. P. VI 185.
Soting 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 198.
As to the suiting of the sign, he sought it not of incredulitie, … but to strengthen and confirm his weak faith 1610 Conv. Burghs II 300.
Sutting 1633 Dunkeld Presb. II 370.
Sutteing 1641 Dunferm. B. Rec. II 188.
Calling of the burrow roll and sutting of compeirance of the burgesses — 1587 St. A. Kirk S. 594.
That … Paule and Jonet be accusit for transgressing of the gude ordour of this session in suting and purchessing of thame to be contractit be ony uther person by the ministrie of St. Androus

b. An action or instance of pleading, in law. 1582 Perth B. Ct. 9 Sept.
Debursit be the said vmquhile Villiame Robertsone hir first husband in swting persewing and obteining the said Isobell to be serruit narrest and lauchfull air

c. Recruiting (of men to be soldiers). 1552 Reg. Privy C. I 131.
To gang throw ony burch for sutting of men to the rest of the ansaingyeis

3. a. Petitioning, importuning (God). 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. (1591) Sig. N v b (Jam. s.v. Interpell v.).
Interpell God continuallie be importune suiting & thraw this grace out of him 1632 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 70.
The more greedy ye are in suiting, the more willing He is to give, delighting to be called open-handed 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 484.
There is joy in wooing, suiting, lying about His house

b. Entreating, requesting (someone to do something); also, specif., calling, making overtures to (a minister) (to accept another charge).(1) 1644 Comm. Univ. III (St. A.) 210.
Declaring what was the intention of the Assembly in anno 1641, in suiting the Commission of Parliament, to visit the University(2) 1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 36.
Anent the commissioun gewin to him for suteing Mr. James Wood, minister at Dunnino, to be Professor of Divinitie and minister of the Grayfrier Kirk of this burgh 1654 Dingwall Presb. 259.
A letter … intreateing ws to desist from suteing Mr. Thomas Hogg

c. Wooing, courting (a woman). a1568 Darnley in Bann. MS 244a/22.
For so hes mony mo That hes nocht seruit so In suting of thair sueit 1634 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 116.
He will not want His wife for the suiting

4. Prosecuting, taking (a person) to court (for debts, a crime). 1640 Brechin Test. V 302b.
Anent the ingathering thairof [sc. debts] and suitting and persueing thairfor if neid beis 1698 Foulis Acc. Bk. 230.
To the dean of gild officer for suting … Capⁿ Skirving for takeing away my brander at the head of Fosters Wynd

5. Pursuing (of someone) with hostile intent. c1590 J. Stewart 69/166.
The precelling Paladeine … In sutting him vith diligence did tend Quhair thair occurs sic cursit canckerd cair c1590 J. Stewart 84/169.
Sen dayis tuo he haid in trauell beine In sutting of the foirsaid Sarraseine