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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
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Sut(e, Suit(e, Soit(e, n.¹ Also: suth, sutte, swt(e, swtte, suitt, suyt(e, swit(e, swyt, swit(t, suet(t, sout, sowt, sowitt, soult, soot(e, sote, seut(e, sewt(e, seit, soyt(e, soyite, soyth, shut(t, shute, shuet, showtt. [ME and e.m.E. siwte, sywte, sute (1297), seute (c1350), suyt (Wyclif), suite (Gower), sewt (c1449), suit (1579), OF siwte, siute (12th c.), suite (13th c.; all in Larousse), pop. L. *sequita, f. secutus, p.p. of sequī to follow.]

1. Attendance by a tenant at the court of his lord, or by landowners at Parliament; the obligation to give such attendance; the right of the landholder to hold such courts. Freq. const. common sute, and to aw, give, weyre sute. Also (once), the right of a vassal to impose ‘suit’ on his tenants.For many further examples see Acts XII Index, s.v. Suit and service.‘As a condition of holding their fiefs, all the barons and freeholders within the sheriffdom had to give ‘suit’, or ‘suit and presence’, at three head courts annually, and at all other courts ‘set upon fifteen days’ warning'; the suit-rolls containing their names making a practically complete list of the county gentry. The assizes were then formed by ‘calling’ these rolls, and choosing, and then swearing in and admitting, a selection of the suitors.' Rec. Earl. Orkney lxxxv.See also Carnwath Baron Ct. (SHS) lxxxviii, and Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 6.(1) c1379 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 1.
I graunt … at the forsayde Alayne & his ayris be fre of vmage soyte & al seruyse of the twa plewland of Nortoun 1480 Acta Conc. I 57/1.
Twa kye … takin be the said James … for vnlawis and falt of apperance of soyt in his court 1508 Reg. Privy S. I 259/1.
[Lands] to be haldin … with … arerage, careage, hereȝeldis and suite of the tenendis inhabitantis the saidis landis 1523 Carnwath Baron Ct. (SHS) 10.
Robert lord Maxwell of[t] tymis callit & nocht comperit is in mersement of my lordis court for falt of entres of his sut & syklyk for his presens as to the heid court(2) 1474 Treas. Acc. I 5.
For a new infeodacione of his landis … to be haldin of the king in warde and relef and commoune soyt ?1494 Fam. Rose 159.
Lands … haldis of us be service of warde, releif and commone soit 1502 Acta Conc. III 183.
The calling of small porcionaris and landit men to commone soyt to schiref courtis bailye and utheris courtis 1502 Reg. Privy S. I 118/2.
Soyite(3) 1392 Lennox Mun. 46.
The sayde erill sal discharge the saydis William and Issabel … of al maner of seruys of the forsayde landis … outakyn manredyn or sewte qwheyn sa be avcht of the sayde landis 1515 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 31.
Chargeing all and sindry frehaldaris that aw sute in the said parliament to compeir the said day and place 1556–7 Inverness Rec. I 4.
Tha and ilk ane of tham oft tyms callit and nocht comperit as tha that aut soyt to the heid curt is jugit in admerciament and dome gyfin thairupon 1557 Inverness Rec. I 13.
Thai that aucht sout to the heid court, … is enterit in the sut roll a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 12.
The saids commissioners and speaker should have their expenses of them of the shyre that owe suit in parliament — c1575 Balfour Pract. 276.
Na man … may be compellit to gif suite in the kingis court, or in his lordis court, bot efter the tenour and form of his chartour 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Sok (see (4) below). a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 11.
He quho is infeft be charter may not be compelled to give soyt in the king's court — 1452 Maxwell Mem. 170.
The forsaid lord sal charter hym new with ward and releif, and to weyre soyte for him ande his airis for the forsaidis landistransf. a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 33.
Lands unite or annexed to wther lands within ane wther shireffdome owe no soyt to the shireff within [whose] shireiffdome they lye locallie(4) 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Sok.
He quha is infeft with sok (quhilk now we call soyt) … hes power and libertie to hald courtes within his awin barronnie landes; In the quhilks courtes, homines sui, or his vassalles suld giue soyt

b. An instance of such attendance at such a court. In various constructions and collocations. Also fig.(1) 1500 Acta Conc. II 438.
Lands … haldin of the Kingis hienes … in blanchferme for thre soitis and a paire of quhite spurris and his soitour comperand … in to the thre hede courtis of the yeire 1507–8 Reg. Privy S. I 233/1.
Dischargis him and his saidis landis of all soyttis, comperingis in justice-aris, parliamentis [etc.] 1592 (1610) Reg. Great S. 91/1.
With thrie swtis at thrie heid schireff courtis yeirlie 1654 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 142.
The persones aforsaid, and ther aires ar and salbe forever … dischargit of and from all sutes and appeareing at or in any ether lords and superiores courts of justiciarie [etc.](2) 1605 Reg. Great S. 608/1.
And to anser 3 suittis at our heid courtis in Zetland(3) 1478 Acta Aud. 77/2.
[To] restor … to Alexander Seytoun … iij oxin & vther gudis takin … for certain vnlawis for falt of apperance to the scheref courtis haldin at Faukland quhar he aw bot thre sutis at the scheref courtis haldin the [sic] burgh of Coupir 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 100b.
And gif he [sc. the soitour] aucht bot thrie soyts, he sall appeare bot at the thrie heid courts of the ȝeare, that is to say, the law dayes after Michaelmas, the law dayes after Ȝule, and the law dayes after Pasche 1610 Misc. Spald. C. II 95.
In my opinion ye hauld these landis blanche, and consequentlie will aw no sutes to his regall court(4) 1457 Stirlings of Keir 232.
Be it kende … me Johne Stewart … to have … grantit … to my … cosing James Stewart … the tane half of Ballindorane [etc.] … he geifande … to me and to myn ayris, three suttis at thri heide courtis of the ȝere alanerly for all vthir actionis or demande of the saide landis may be askit or requerit 1551 Reg. Privy S. IV 219/1.
Gevand thre suyttis at thre heid courtis of the bischop of Murray c1575 Balfour Pract. 276.
That … na … portiouner within the maill of ten pundis of new extent … enter or give ony suite … befoir the schiref a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 237.
Lands … unit in ane barrony … most give als many suits in court as befor the Union a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 33.
Quhen lands ar devyeded amongst many heritrices, the eldest … should give ane soyt for herselfe and … her sisters(5) 1473 Stirlings of Keir 248.
The quhilk … landis … vnyt and annexit in ane baronry … to be haldin of ws … for a commoun soyte in the shiref court of Perth(6) 1473–4 Yester Wr. 74.
And thre soytis of courtis yerly 1497 Bruces of Airth App. Lii.
To be holden of the said lord, giving thrie sutes of court at the thrie courts of the said baronie 1558 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 196.
Paying tharfore yeirlie the soume of twenty pundis … and doubling the said sovme at the entrie of the air with ane soit of court yeirlie in ilk twa heid courtis(7) 1510 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 106.
That ye and your deputs ceis fra all journaing and calling the said Thomas for ony sute and presence or ony uthir seruice quhatsumeuer to be gewin for his saids lands in oure shref [sic in pr.] courts 1590 (1593) Reg. Great S. 810/2.
Payand thairfoir [etc.] … togidder with thrie suittis and presens yeirlie till our heid curtis

c. An instance of attendance by a representative of a burgh owing suit to the sheriff court. 1428 Sc. Hist. Rev. XXXI 143.
To Jhon Robinsoun for the sout in the schiraff curt [40 d.] 1620–1 Ayr B. Acc. 274.
For keiping of the townis suttis to the schiref [£4]

d. A representative of one who is obliged to give suit in court. Also, sute of court.(1) 1498 Acta Conc. II 268.
Til remit thir religious men this unlaw … because thai war dissavit and understude that thai war never callit of before, and has promyttit in tyme tocum til fynd a soyt and gif thair presens and ansuer for the sadis landis in tyme tocum c1575 Balfour Pract. 549.
It is statute be the King … that gif the suit (sequela) of thre baronies appeiris and accusis ony persoun of reif, or ony uther trespas, for the quhilk be the law he sould suffer deith, and the defendar have not ane pledge or sovertie, he sall be hangit … be ressoun of the said thre suitis allanerlie(2) 14.. Acts I 329/2.
At ȝe ger be brocht … al the names … of soyt of court of the forsaide burgh and the breder of the gilde 14.. Acts I 331/2.
Thar salbe askit the roll of the soyt of court, alswell within as vtouth duelland … the names of the balȝeis ande of the laff of the officiaris

e. To call the sutis, to call out the names of those bound to give suit at a court (also, Parliament). Chiefly in passive constructions. Also sing. and coll.(1) pl. 1458 Peebles B. Rec. I 128.
The hed curt of the burgh of Peblis, … the sutts callit, the curt effermyt 1459 Rep. Hist. MSS, Var. Coll. V 81.
The sutis callyt, the curt confermyt, the sys josyn and callyt a1500 Henr. Fab. 949.
The iustice bad the court for to gar fence, The sutis call, and foirfalt all absence 1492 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 38.
Swtis 1527 Wigtown B. Ct. 191a.
Suttis c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 11.
And so belieue the Court was confirmat. Sutis was callit ilk ane in thair estait. Cheisit ane assyis as was expedient 1551 (1565–6) Reg. Great S. 418/1.
Full and fre power … suttis to mak be callit, absentis to amerciat [etc.] 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Iter.
At the quhilk time, the sutes suld be first called, with their lordes. For albeit the suitures compeir neverthelesse their lords and maisters ar oblished likewise to compeir and giue presence to the justice in his aire 1641 Acts V (1817) 502/1.
Suts(b) 1505–6 Selkirk B. Ct. MS 2.
The suitis [ed. sutis] callit and suorne and the cowrt fensit 1535 Stewart 58883.
Judgis war sett and suittis callit sone c1566 Fife Sheriff Ct. 406.
Swittis 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I 372.
Suitts(c) 1506 Thanes of Cawdor 118.
Sowittis 1527 Maxwell Mem. 258.
The sowttis callit, the dempstar sworn [etc.] 1532–3 Bk. Dunvegan 69.
Soultis(d) 14.. Acts I 343/2.
Fyrst call the soytoure, syne rede the justice powere, syne fens the courtis, than tak the dempstare and gare him be suorne, syne call the soytis agane, ande jlka man twys, and jlka lard ande his soyt, gif ony be absent amercy the absent [etc.] 1459–60 Newburgh B. Ct. 1, etc.
The soyttis callit the curt affirmyt the absentis ar patent 1492 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 38. 1565 Reg. Privy C. I 366.
Soyttis, to mak be callit 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 235.
The soittis callit and ordanyt to ryne vnto the tyme the same wer dissoluit — 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 236.
The parliament proclamit in the kingis name wes affixit, and the soittis callit in Striueling, and ordanit the samin to rin quhill it be farder dissoluit a1578 Pitsc. II 252/10.
The regent causit feild the parliament and call the suittissing. 1462 Reg. Cambuskenneth 121.
The court of the barony of Harbertschire, haldin at Donypais … be William … baillie to the … lord of the said barony, the suth callit and the court affirmit, etc.coll. 1612 Prot. Bk. W. Leslie 17a.
We … faythfullie bindis and obleisses ws neuer to trwble molest inquyet querrell call switt or persew ciuilie or criminallie the said Robert(2) 1511 Reg. Panmure II 280.
Soyts to gar call, absents and transgressors to falt and punysh 1529–30 Reg. Privy S. II 66/2.
To mak and creat officiaris, sutis and tenentis to call, absentis to amercy [etc.](3) 1562 Linlithgow Sheriff Ct. 1 Oct.
The quhilk day anent the calling of ane soit for the landis of Eistirbynne comperit Johnne Bynne [etc.]

f. In the phrases sute and presence and sute and (nor) service. Also fig.For many more examples of sute and presence, see Presence n. 1 b (2) and sute and service, see Service n. 2 (1), (2).(1) 1489 Acts II 221/2 (see Sut(e)-roll n. (c)). 1587 Rec. Earld. Orkney 310.
[He is] to give seit and presentis at our head courtis with dew service, as use is(2) fig. 1525 Douglas Corr. 103.
I have schewin my humyll sote and service to the Quenys grace ȝoure sister, how be it is nocht accept

2. ? A monetary payment in lieu of attendance at a court.See e.m.E. suit in this sense (1523-1660 in OED, s.v. Suit n. 4). 1447 (1451) Reg. Great S. 106/2.
The said Alex. … sal pay the castel-warde and the soyte, and ane mark to Jhone of Prestoune

3. a. (The action of) seeking or pursuing (something). b. Investigation by due and proper process of law. c. In (the) sute of, in pursuit of.a. 1565 Inverness Rec. I 129.
Efter the suyth of my skayth and menyng of the samyn to the baillie as said is … this my petitioun in forme of brocht humle I beseik 1594 Aberd. Council Lett. I 58.
We haue assignit to him [sc. Robert] that sowme of a thowsand pundis … The said Robert being to repair toward yow for the sute of that sowme [etc.]b. 1560 Edinb. B. Rec. III 83.
All scherefis … and thair deputtis [etc.] … to tak diligent sute and inquisitioun … quhair ony sic vsurpit muster messaying … and tak and apprehend thame 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 108.
In respect of the ernist insisting of the aduocates desyring proces and richt sute of the said Erle Bothwellis ernist petitioun and desyre of tryall to be had in the said materc. 1577 Reg. Privy C. II 623.
His wyff sendand his broder upoun his meir to Ednem in sute of hir husband a1578 Pitsc. I 144/19.
Be ȝour stout perseverence in the suit of ȝour enemeis

4. The action of prosecuting a person in a court of law; legal action, litigation. Chiefly, at, to, also against the sute of (the pursuer). 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 140.
The crym forsuth of reff with speciale gangaris betwene befor the iustice aw to be determinit & iugisit with soyt & folowing fresly maid 14.. Acts I 328/2.
Gif the lord of the forest sic soyt wil nocht mak or for thank disimilis him sic transgressioun to misknaw the king sal haf his soyt til ask x lib. for the forfalt [L. rex habet jus et titulum petendi decem libras] 14.. Acts I 328/2.
Ilk fre man trespassand at the soyt of the baroun in the kingis court apon sic transgressioun lauchfully convickyt x lib. sal pay to the king 14.. Quon. Attach. c. 2.
To stand & byde the law at the soyt of his party on him plantif 1445–6 Aberd. B. Rec. MS IV 426 (25 Jan.).
Thom of Crawffurd the tother day callit til enter Adam Downaldson to the soyth of Thom Blindyell comperit nocht c1575 Balfour Pract. 191.
He is haldin allanerlie to enter his persoun … to the sute of the persewar befoir the judge within the court [etc.] 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 111.
Gif any man borrowes another man to answere to the soyte of any partie, either he borrowes him, as haill forthcummand borgh … then aught he that him borrowed there to appeare, and be discharged as law will 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 111b.
I Robert essonȝies John of K. against the soyt of Richard of B. in mute of trespasse or of debt, quhither sa it be 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I 205.
If commissionaris had bene send to his Majestie in dew tyme thay think thir sutes might haue bene croced and interrupted

5. Prosecution (of a cause). 1563 Reg. Privy C. I 252.
Undirstanding that the caussis quhilkis the prelattis of this realme had decidit … ar frustrat, and thai compellit to leif the soit of thair saidis caussis

6. A process instituted in a court for redress of a wrong, recovery of a right, enforcement of a claim, etc.; a lawsuit, case. Also sute at (in) court, sute in (of) law, and law soit.The quot. 1603 Paisley B. Rec. 255 is obscure, and may belong in another sense.(1) 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 119.
Quhen ony man his warand callis that ilk warand was wont … to brying sufficiant pruf of that thing of the quhilk he is callit in warand & that sal deliuer him fra felony, bot it sal nocht keip him fra scath than he sal tyn that thing that is to say gif he has na gud soyt & sufficiant he is in perell 1442 Raine N. Durham App. 66.
If it so fall that … Sir David Hume ore his ayers make ony sewte ore clame at the lawe, agaynes the forsaid prior 1498 Charter (Reg. H.) C.O. No. 83.
Gif thai … cane not agree … with the party or parteis to quham the sewte apertenes 1506 Prestwick B. Rec. 39.
The soit of Johne Talȝo^r. balȝe, for the wrangwis haldin of swyne on hiis corn & peys 1564–5 Perth B. Ct. 277 (23 March).
The said Thomas is sasit in the landis libellit and allegit the titillis producit is sufficient to the sute the actioun is it [sic] libellit 1603 Paisley B. Rec. 255.
Quhasoever beis warnit be the officers to keip ane of the portis at even and enters not on the morne in manner above specifiet sall pay ane unlaw of viij s. and ane sut be the baillies upon his expensis to keip the same for that day 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 63 (Table).
Gif ane soyt sould be given for land perteining to sundrie heires; he to quhom the principall and cheif part of the heretage perteines sall make that soyt in his Lords court 1622-6 Bisset I 259/5.
Sua that the chargare be this delay … in the prosequuting of his iust det … is ethir … forced to leif of his suite … or accept sic proportioun of satisfactioun as his adverser will offer 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 170.
Which sute continued a long tyme, by reasone of the Earle of Southerland his powerfull and mightie enemies then in court and session(2) 1569–70 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 655/2.
Swyttis in court 1614 Highland P. III 161.
It may that some propone as a grounde of a swite at courte to haif the byrunes of the vndervalewing(3) 1614 Ruthven Corr. 152.
Having many actionis and swittes in law now depending as well in England as in Scotland(4) 1545 Aberd. B. Rec. I 219.
As tha that aucht of the law soit

b. To enter in sute of law, to commence litigation. 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 99.
Adam Earle of Southerland and John Earle of Catteynes did enter in sute of law, the one against the other

c. The written record of a lawsuit. 1591 Aberd. B. Rec. I viii.
Scrowis on parchment contening … suittis and actionis, or processus for annuellis, euil to be red, be resoun of the antiquite of the wreit

d. To haf (one's) soyt (to do something), to have the right of legal redress, to be allowed to institute legal proceedings.14.. Acts I 328/2 (see 4 above).

7. The action of suing, supplicating or petitioning, or an instance of this. In various constructions and collocations.(1) ?c1543–60 Crim. Trials I i 228.
The King was moveid, vpone sute, to releive him 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I 92.
Sum of thame upon submissioun and hummil sute were reconcylit to us 1584 Warrender P. (SHS) I 167.
Sindrie of our subjectis hes attendit thair in sute … with verie litle furtherance a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 161 (W).
As fulisch Phaetone, be suite, His fathers cairte obteind 1585 Cal. Sc. P. VIII 107.
His honest actionis … quheke he hes to suit in England(2) 1566 Cal. Sc. P. II 307.
[He prays him to sue the Queen to make an end of his] lang swyt [either by granting him the licence he asked before or giving him £150 … after which his honour shall hear no more of his case] 1569 Cal. Sc. P. III 4.
Considerant the ernestfull sutte of the Queen, my mistres 1570 Southesk MSS 722.
To obteane the favorable aide of … the Quene of Einglande, be oure continuall swte, their two yeres past 1558-66 Knox II 422.
Grit men maid in courte unto him, and thair sutes wer the better heard 1575 Orkney Oppress. 4.
In inbringing of Lawrence Carnes, lawman … at the said Lord Robert's earnest sute a1585 Maitl. Q. 111/83.
This simpill sute cast it not quyte away 1583 Conv. Burghs I 178.
The supplicatioun and humle sute of Dauid Hume a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 133 (Wr.).
I can serve you in your sute, If you please to impire 1591 Conv. Burghs I 357.
The samin day … continewis all ansuer gifing to the conseruatouris sut crewing reambursment … of sic sowmes as he hes depursit 1618 Laing MSS 149.
My sute is verie reasonable 1633 Johnston Diary I 174.
[God] brought to thy mynd that this day, … being thy thrid fasting day since thy petitionating this sute, thy caise was in al the antecedents lyk the caise of the Izraelits 1643 Fugitive Poetry II xx 4/7.
Unto my sute, O Lord, thine ear incline 1649 Strathbogie Presb. 114.
The forsaid parishoners having solisted the presbytry to convein at Keyth … vho vpon ther sute mett accordinglie — 1573-1600 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 161/30.
Johann Kmnox … durst be sua bauld to interpryse the sute of mariage vith … my ladie Fleming(b) 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I 559.
I … now am a suitor for pardon not that I do lyik sic swyttis for thaymselves, but is moved thairto through compassion 1570 Reg. Morton I 58.
I wald fane be quet of the maister Forbes swit and speciallie gyff I may do it be rycht 1583 Wemyss Corr. 82.
Suitt 1585 Cal. Sc. P. VIII 107.
Being accustumed to importune yew such tymes with the suittes of my frendis 1603 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 52.
We mon maist humblie renew our swite 1604 Urie Baron Ct. 10.
Quhilk swit was granttit vnto thame 1608 Douglas Corr. 194.
The suit quhilk … I crawe … is … to depert this cuntrie, conform to your hienes licience allradie grantit 1624 Perth Kirk S. MS 26 June.
James Beirne and Andro Millare … besocht the sessioun to len theme the act of pairliament ratifieand … his hienes gift … quhairupon the sessioun ȝeildit to the said switt 1627 Aberd. Council Lett. I 266.
When Andrew Hunter … was here soliciting the Lord high Treasurer of England … for licence to transport six demiculverin [to Aberdeen] he was not only delayed in his said suite but also mightily opposed therein(c) 1638 Hamilton P. (Camden Soc.) 21.
I presume to mooufe anithing as a shut of myne that shall be displeasing to your Ma^tti 1638 Hamilton P. (Camden Soc.) 35.
Shutes(3) 1584 Gray Lett. & P. 13.
At his seut and erneste requeste 1585 Misc. Bann. C. I 111.
I was … at the earnest sute and desyre of the magistrats … establissit pastour and minister 1620 Aberd. Council Lett. I 187.
Be thair sute and supplicatiouns gevin in to the saids provest [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset I 247/1.
The lordis of counsall … to sit quhere they pleis to appoynt be the suit of pairtie [etc.] 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 226.
These noblemen being thus forefaulted, at the earnest sute of the quein of England 1649 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 590.
To proceed to the planting of the Kirk upon the sute and calling, or with the consent of the congregation, on whom none is to be obtruded against their will(4) 1585 James VI Ess. 17.
O dreidfull Pluto, … My sute to yow is [etc.] 1595 Aberd. Council Lett. I 62.
In this his humiliatioun and sute to the kirk 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 684.
[Æneas] Their sute to Dido first resolves to heare

b. To mak (ane) sute (to a person) (also, for (anent, of) something).(1) 14.. Acts I 347/2.
All … murtheraris of men outhir rychtwisly or vnrychtwisly sall nocht mak suyte opinly … sall compeir and ansuer befor the kingis justice 1545 Douglas Corr. 158.
Nobillis off this realme makis swtte for the intreting off the mariage betuix [etc.] 1572–3 Reg. Privy C. II 199.
The … Lord Regent sall make sute to the Kirk at the Generall Assemble … for procuring of sic discharge of the same rentis as may be had 1586 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 69.
We haif maid swit for it wnto hir Majestie 1600-1610 Melvill 77.
The reformation of the Universitie of St. Androis intendit, and sutt maid to the Kingis Majestie thairanent 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII 514.
The Lord of Scone … is to mak sute to your Heynes for ane infeftment of the priorie of Elcho 1628 Insh Colonial Schemes 217.
This last sommer there are some making sute to your Majestie for a new patent(2) 1472 Lennox Mun. 88.
That it be knawyn that I … mak ony inquietacione, perturbacione, clame, soyt, or following off … the said erldome 1584 Sc. N. & Q. I 43.
Upon in-opportune suittes maid to his Majestie theirfoir 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 84/9.
All the honest men … as maye make thaime pert to make thaire awin suitis to you thame selfis 1620 Brechin Kirk S. 16 May.
James Guthrie … maid ane suit to the sessione for libertie to big ane desk

c. To be in suite of, to solicit to acquire (something). 1618 Yester Wr. 338.
James M'Kitrik is in suite of ane merkland possessed be Marion Smith the 14th November

8. The action of wooing or courting (of, also to a woman); solicitation (chiefly, on another's behalf) of a woman's hand in marriage. Also, to be in sute of, to be engaged in courting or seeking the hand of. 1587 Warrender P. (SHS) II 42.
To send ambassadoris with power to treat of Orkney, to continue ther sute of the first [sc. daughter of the Danish king] and if that faylit to sute the second c1590 Fowler I 243/10.
O Fouler! o immortall be thy fame! Lat never dame thy honest suit disdaine c1590 J. Stewart 67/100.
Amorus smart … constraind him in the sute depart Of hir againe quha did posses his hart 1594 Maxwell Mem. II 176.
The sute of the Earle of Cassillis to my douchter c1690 Wemyss Corr. 142.
My Lord Southesk has been in sute of my daughter Nanie this pritty while

9. A company, retinue, following. 1448 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i 8 (15 June).
A sclannder … of the sclachter of a man and his soite at was borne at yhour cors of Aberdene … We … chargis yhou … that … yhe gerr inquir … quha warr beraris and folowaris of the said soite … sendyng thair names to our said constable a1500 K. Hart 187.
Fra thay saw thair sute and thair sembly 1574–5 Day-bk. J. Cokburn 13.
Thay four dayis the prowest [etc.] … lawborand at the regentis grace hand for the commyssaris suit to be in this toun

b. A class or set of people. 1572 Sc. Ant. V 166.
Prestis, nwnnis, & haill rabell of that deweillige switt of papists dewysit at the Counsall of Treyntt

10. A person's apparel, esp. a set of garments designed to be worn together. Also, sute of apparrel or clothes.(1) 1604-9 Grahame Anat. Hum. 10.
How swiftlie will he be chainged in ane Italian, a French or else in a Spanish sute? In this new metamorphus hee … makes his promynad … making the world poynte at his oulde garment, furnished with newe fashions, till some poore gentle-man take notice of his owne late pawnded sute 1614 Laing MSS 136.
For making the switt … £1 1633 Sc. Ant. I 94.
And at my ariuel in Perris I touk of a sout of it where of ther aer four elles for clothes and kassak [etc.] 1664 Red Bk. Grandtully I cxxx.
Cause an tailȝeor ther take your meassur, according to your last soote 1670 Kirkcudbr. Test. (Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct.) 30 Sept.
I leive … ane suit of holland to Helene Stewart 1681 Thanes of Cawdor 354.
The lifra boyes suits, … your honors lifra mans suit(2) 1605 Pitsc. Add. (1728) 237.
The king gave a rich suit of apparel 1619 Fam. Innes 210.
I must have ane suitt of alls honest apperell that day … so I look that ye vill helpe me to them, for my father is villing to giff me ane stand of setting 1627 Bk. Carlaverock II 92.
I think the ten suttis of apperell … will serve to mont them all [sc. certain soldiers]coll. 1627 Bk. Carlaverock II 81.
I will requyst ȝour lordship to send with the berer fortie or fiftie sute of apperrell c1650 Spalding I 347.
To furnesh thair pairt of thair clothis and sarkis, being in all 20,000 soot of apparell and 20,000 sarkis(3) 1611 Mar & Kellie MSS 67.
Bill for a suit of clothes 1614 Laing MSS 135.
An account for suits of clothes for Sir Claud Hamilton 1648 Sc. Ant. IV 98.
Agried with Robin Hammelton for 40^lib in the ȝeare and ane shutt of cloethes 1650 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 143.
Two members of the session [to] buy ane sutte of cloathes … to him and also sailing cloathe as well four sarkes to him 1653 Sc. Ant. IV 99.
As much cloeth as will be ane showtt of cloethes 1661 Maxwell Mem. II 305.
If I had but a shut of good clothes 1661 Nicolson Diurnals 30 Sept.
For putches neck & brusts to ane suitt of cloaths 14 s. 1674 Cunningham Diary 39.
Of drink silver, for severall suits of cloaths making 1683 New Mills Manuf. 53.
A sewt of cloathis … and butinis … with ane pair of wasted stockings 1695 Oliphants 295.
A sout of cloaths 1698 Dunbar B. Rec. in E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. II 45.
Allowes him [sc. the lockman] ane yearlie pension of twenty four pounds Scots, ane suit of gray cloathes and housmaillcoll. 1646 4th Rep. Hist. MSS 510/2.
For making thrie sute of cloathes to my lord againe the bridell 1674 Glasgow Trades House 488.
Item for six sute of cloathes to them and for furnishing and making 1680 Bk. Dunvegan 208.
Sute of ryding close of blew stript camelet … consisting of cots, skirt & hood [£6 8 s.] … Ryding suet [£12 6 s.]

b. With various qualifying terms and phrases. Also transf.(1) 1614 Laing MSS 135.
Ane silk killywanco suitt 1614 Laing MSS 136.
Ane Flanders shairge suitt 1663 Lamont Diary 160.
Mr. Johne Mackgill returned from France … in a gray sute 1661–70 Old Ross-shire I 143.
Stenting brists and nek to the Lairds floured tabie suitt a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1677) App. 33.
The Parliament is fenced … in the King's name. Then the King speaks … sitting in his robes, with the crown on his head, all standing up bare-headed: but when a commissioner represents him, he is in an ordinary sute, and stands and speaks also bare-headed(2) 1517 Sciennes Conv. lxxx.
A sute of black vestiments for the dead 1586–7 Inv. Q. Mary lxxxvii.
A sewt of savage attire 1603 Jervise Memor. Angus & Mearns I 199.
[Each officer had a new] sout off blew as his livray 1643 Edinb. Test. LX 281.
Ane sute of minime cloithes without pasmentis and ane cloik 1647 Edinb. Test. LXIII 228.
Ane sute of buttoned cloath and cloak conforme thairto 1650 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 596.
He presented himself in a sutte of blacke clothe, and a scarlet coate to his knee 1657 Balfour Ann. II 120.
A seute of blacke, the paines and poyntes therof all garnished … with diamonds 1661 Haigs of Bemersyde 471.
For a shuet of sharge cloaths … a suett of cloeths with a mandell 1667 Edinb. Test. LXXIII 86.
Ane sute of Scottes cloath and ane mandell coat 1674 Fraser P. 258.
A seut of rid velvat robs 1680 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds II 166 (26 Nov.).
Ane honest sut of cloath in ilk years tyme of his said serwice 1692 Annandale Corr. 315.
I haue nott soe much as a smok, shut of night clothes, but sum duds on metransf. c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 64.
The birdis … with a voce said … We proyne and play without dout and dangere, All clothit in a soyte full fresch and newe

c. In suit, into ane suite (with another), ? in the same set or type of clothes (as another, or each other).Cf. F. en suite in mod. Eng. (1797), = ‘in agreement or harmony (with)’. c1475 Wall. ix 293.
He gert graith him in soit with his awin men c1475 Wall. ix 712.
Wallace gert tak in haist thar humest weid … Four was rycht rud, Wallace hym selff tuk ane A rwsset clok and with him gud Ruwane. Guthre with that, and als gud ȝemen twa, In that ilk soit thai graithit thaim to ga 15.. Clar. iv 963.
Hir damosellis in quhyt satine scheine Arrayit war, in suit all fair to se — 15.. Clar. ii 1685.
Ȝe do me now the plesour I require That ȝe wald gounis weir in suit with me. … He gart furth bring to everie man a goune … [And he] himself that day wore ane of tho 15.. Clar. v 1940.
And scho that wes of bewtie crope and rute, Did them beseik to go into ane suite With hir that day

11. A set consisting of a number of predetermined items or entities or a number of the same item. Also coll. 1517 Sciennes Conv. lxxx.
Compleat sutes of all the colours of the church, for advent, lent, martyrs, confessors, virgins 15.. Clar. v 1935.
Meliades … Was cled in goune of velvote lustillie Furrit with greice … of the samyne suite scho gave also Unto the new maid quenis gounis two 1610 Hist. Kinloss A. xi.
The holl sut of gilt lether heingenis whiche did hange the gallarie of the hous 1634 Stirling Merch. Guild 51.
Of all farder intromissions intromettit with be the said vmqhile Johne Cowane ether of annalrents or wtherwayis at anye tyme since his last swit of compts to the tyme of his deceas 1635 Edinb. Test. LVII 57.
Thrie suittis of ribbandis at xx s. the suite 1650 Edinb. Test. LXV 11.
Ane sute of hinginges estimat all to j c lib. 1661 Buccleuch Mun. II 313.
Ane sute of blue damas courteins, consisting of three peice of courteins with outter and inner vallance, counter pand, head peice, bolster peice 1669 Thanes of Cawdor 322.
For a sute ribbans 2 plain handkerchers and a roull 1676 Cunningham Diary 84.
For a suit of chesse men, 18 s. 1680 Edinb. B. Rec. X 399.
The dean of gild [is] to furnish to the uther fyve kirks two suits of holland clothes [for the communion tables] 1680 Edinb. B. Rec. X 399.
The [communion] clothes of the Colledge Kirk … are in good condition being good holland clothes and double suits 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII 358.
A suit of fyne Arass hingings 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII 359.
A suit of old grein taffetie courtins wherein is 8 peice with the pand 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII 359. 1687 Kirkcudbr. Test. (Reg. H.) 7 Oct.
Thrie cowrings, quherof John Howp gott ane switt of the bestcoll. 1643 Edinb. Test. LX 235.
Fourtie nyne sute of ribbanes estimat all to xlix lib. 1685 Inverness Customs 13.
Sex sute sadle greath 1685 Inverness Customs 13b.
Nyne sute horss greath

12. Kind, sort, type. c1400 Troy-bk. i 272.
As cornys, treys, herbys and fruyttis, Throw course of kynd & sindry suyttis, To mannys delitt 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1074.
Ane hors … Was harneist all with wodbind leuis grene. Of the same sute the trappours law doun hang a1578 Pitsc. I 4/21.
In auld authouris I micht find sum buit In Latin or Frensh that in thair deuers suite … hes so compendiouslie Sett thir auld storries

13. Result, outcome.Cf. OED Suite 3 (c1800), a sequel, result. 1597 Logie Par. Hist. 50.
The brethrein … to report to the presbyterie the suttes of thairs travells