▪ I. † ˈsuer Obs.
[f. sue v. + -er1.]
1. A pursuer.
| 1388 Wyclif Lam. i. 6 The princes therof..ȝeden forth withouten strengthe bifore the face of the suere. |
2. A follower, disciple.
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 511 Jesus Crist and his apostilis and here beste seweres. c 1394 P. Pl. Crede 148 Crist..saide to his sueres forsoþe on þis wise. 1395 Purvey Remonstr. (1851) 47 Be ye my sueris as and I am the suere of Crist [cf. 1 Cor. xi. 1]. |
3. One who follows (a course of action).
| 1382 Wyclif Titus ii. 14 A peple acceptable to him silf, suere of good werkis. a 1420 Wyclif's Bible, Ecclus. xli. 8 gloss, The sones of synneris; that is, sueris of the fadris synnes. c 1510 Barclay Mirr. Gd. Manners (1570) A iij, That is the foure Vertues surnamed Cardinall,..For them and their suers God doth alway commende. |
4. One who sues or petitions; esp. a plaintiff.
| 1423 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 256/2 That the partie so founden in defaute, paie to the suer..half as muche as the forfaiture amounteth too. 1461 Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) 311 Halfe to the courte and half to the suere. 1495–6 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 114 That no privie seal shold goe against no man, but if the suer therof wold find suerty to yeld the parties defendants ther damages. a 1565 Rastell Bew. M. Iewel Pref. A ix b, If the Suer for it be notus Pontifici. 1593 [see submissioner]. |
▪ II. suer
obs. form of sure a., swear.