Suit

In old English law. The witnesses or followers of the plaintiff. 3 Bl. Comm. 295. See Secta. Old books mention the word in many connections which are now disused,—at least, in the United States. Thus, "suit" was used of following any one, or in the sense of pursuit; as in the phrase "making fresh suit." It was also used of a petition to the king or lord. "Suit of court" was the attendance which a tenant owed at the court of his lord. Bl.Law Dict.(2d Ed.)—71 "Suit covenant" and "suit custom" seem to have signified a right to one's attendance, or one's obligation to attend, at the lord's court, founded upon a known covenant, or an immemorial usage or practice of ancestors. "Suit regal" was attendance at the sheriff's tourn or leet, (his court.) "Suit of the king's peace" was pursuing an offender, — one charged with breach of the peace. Abbatt.

In modern law. "Suit" is a generic term, of comprehensive signification, and applies to any proceeding in a court of justico in which the plaintiff pursues, in such court, the remedy which the law affords him for the redress of an injury or the recovery of a right. See Kohl v. U. S„ 91 U. S. 375, 23 L. Ed. 449; Weston v. Charleston, 2 Pet. 464, 7 L. Ed. 481; Drake v. Gilmore, 52 N. Y. 393; Philadelphia, etc., Iron Ch v. Chicago, 158 111. 9, 41 N. E. 1102; Cohens v. Virginia, 6 Wheat. 405, 5 L. Ed. 257. It is, however, seldom applied to a criminal prosecution. And it is sometimes restricted to the designation of a proceeding in equity, to distinguish such proceeding from an action at law.

— Snit of conrt. This phrase denoted the duty of attending the lord's court, and. in common with fealty, was one of the incidents of a feudal holding. Brown.

— Snit of the king's peace. The pursuing a man for breach of the king's peace by treasons, insurrections, or trespasses. Cowell.

— Suit money. An allowance, in the nature of temporary alimony, authorized by statute in some states to be made to a wife on the institution of her suit for divorce, intended to cover the reasonable expenses of the suit and to provide her with means for the efficient preparation and trial of her case. See Yost v. Yost, 141 Ind. 584, 41 N. E. 11.

— Snit silver. A small sum of money paid in lieu of attendance at the court-baron. Cowell.