Suit
/suːt/noun
A set of matching clothes, or a legal action brought in court.
Did you know?The clothing sense of suit comes from the idea of pieces that ‘follow’ or accompany each other, while the legal sense comes from the same medieval “pursuit” idea—language that once meant chasing someone into obligation.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
sequī
“to follow”
Old French
Old French
suite
“a following, retinue; a set of things that go together”
Middle English
English
sute
“a following, attendance; later a set of garments”
14th Century
English
sute
“a legal action, complaint, or petition”
Modern English
English
suit
“a set of matching clothes; a legal action in court”
Explore more surprising origins