to sue out

Sue \Sue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sued}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Suing}.]
   [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}, v. t., and cf.
   {Consequence}, {Ensue}, {Execute}, {Obsequious}, {Pursue},
   {Second}, {Sect} in religion, {Sequence}, {Suit}.]
   1. To follow up; to chase; to seek after; to endeavor to win;
      to woo.
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            For yet there was no man that haddle him sued.
                                                  --Chaucer.
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            I was beloved of many a gentle knight,
            And sued and sought with all the service due.
                                                  --Spenser.
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            Sue me, and woo me, and flatter me.   --Tennyson.
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   2. (Law)
      (a) To seek justice or right from, by legal process; to
          institute process in law against; to bring an action
          against; to prosecute judicially.
      (b) To proceed with, as an action, and follow it up to its
          proper termination; to gain by legal process.
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   3. (Falconry) To clean, as the beak; -- said of a hawk.
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   4. (Naut.) To leave high and dry on shore; as, to sue a ship.
      --R. H. Dana, Jr.
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   {To sue out} (Law), 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.
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