a set of matching clothes, usually a jacket and trousers (or a skirt), made from the same fabric and worn together for work or formal occasions
He wore a sharp gray suit to the job interview.
Her bright red suit made her stand out at the holiday party.
✦ From Anglo-French siute, based on Old French suivre “to follow,” originally referring to things that go together (a matching set).
one of the four categories (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) into which the cards of a standard deck are divided
He had four cards of the same suit and needed one more to win.
Spades is my favorite suit when I play bridge.
to be convenient, acceptable, or look good for someone or something
This time of day suits me perfectly.
The green scarf suits your eyes.
a legal case brought to a court by one person or group against another
The company filed a suit against its competitor for stealing designs.
She won the suit and received a large settlement.
(informal, often disapproving) a business executive or manager, especially one seen as conservative or controlling
The suits decided to cut the project’s budget.
Creatives often clash with the suits over bold ideas.
a case brought before a court in which one person, company, or organization claims another has done something wrong and asks the court for a decision or compensation
The neighbor filed a lawsuit after the tree fell on his car.
The company settled the lawsuit to avoid a lengthy trial.
✦ From the late 14th-century sense of “suit in law,” formed by combining law + suit, where suit meant “petition to a court.” Over time the compound fused into a single word.
the act of following and trying to catch a person, animal, or vehicle
The police car was in hot pursuit of the speeding driver.
A lion raced across the savanna in pursuit of a fleeing zebra.
✦ From Anglo-French pursuite, Old French poursuite, from poursuivre “to pursue.”
