online medical dictionary | definition of sue

The system language used to write an operating system for the IBM 360. It is a cross between Pascal and XPL. It allows type checked separate compilation of internal procedures using a program library.

["The System Language for Project Sue", B.L. Clark e al, SIGPLAN Notices 6(9):79-88 (Oct 1971)].

(01 Mar 1994)

1. To follow up; to chase; to seek after; to endeavor to win; to woo. "For yet there was no man that haddle him sued." (Chaucer) "I was beloved of many a gentle knight, And sued and sought with all the service due." (Spenser) "Sue me, and woo me, and flatter me." (Tennyson)

2. To seek justice or right from, by legal process; to institute process in law against; to bring an action against; to prosecute judicially. To proceed with, as an action, and follow it up to its proper termination; to gain by legal process.

3. <veterinary> To clean, as the beak; said of a hawk.

4. To leave high and dry on shore; as, to sue a ship. To sue out, to petition for and take out, or to apply for and obtain; as, to sue out a writ in chancery; to sue out a pardon for a criminal.

Origin: OE. Suen, sewen, siwen, OF. Sivre (pres.ind. 3d sing. Il siut, suit, he follows, nous sevons we follow), LL. Sequere, for L. Sequi, secutus; akin to Gr, Skr. Sac to accompany, and probably to E. See, v.t. See See, and cf. Consequence, Ensue, Execute, Obsequious, Pursue, Second, Sect in religion, Sequence, Suit.

(01 Mar 1998)