nonsuit

nonsuit

See also: non-suit

English

Alternative forms

• non-suit

Etymology

non- +‎ suit

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈnɒnsuːt/, /ˈnɒnsjuːt/

Noun

nonsuit (plural nonsuits)

1. (law) A lawsuit that is dismissed as having been brought without cause, prior to an adjudication on the merits.
2. (law) A neglect or failure by the plaintiff to follow up his suit; a renunciation or withdrawal of the cause by the plaintiff.

Verb

nonsuit (third-person singular simple present nonsuits, present participle nonsuiting, simple past and past participle nonsuited)

1. (law, transitive) To dismiss (a suit or plaintiff) on the grounds of his or her lawsuit having been brought without cause, prior to an adjudication on the merits.
   • 1751, [Tobias] Smollett, chapter 15, in The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volume I, London: Harrison and Co., […], published 1781, OCLC 316121541:

     In short, the attorney was nonsuited, to the satisfaction of all who knew him […] .

   • c. 1821, Zephaniah Swift, The Public Statute Laws of the State of Connecticut

     he shall be nonsuited , and pay cost to the defendant

Anagrams

• Tunison