suit

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a set of garments (usually including a jacket and trousers or skirt) for outerwear all of the same fabric and color
  2. noun a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
  3. noun (slang) a businessman dressed in a business suit

Etymology

From Middle English sute, borrowed from Anglo-Norman suite and Old French sieute, siute (modern suite), originally a participle adjective from Vulgar Latin *sequita (for secūta), from Latin sequi (“to follow”), because the component garments "follow each other", i.e. are worn together. See also the doublet suite. Cognate with Italian seguire and Spanish seguir. Related to sue and segue.

In classic literature

Synonyms

suit of clothes

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