Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Plaint"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Plaint \Plaint\, n. [OE. plainte, pleynte, F. plainte, fr. L.
plangere, planctum (plancta, fem. p. p.), to beat, beat the
breast, lament. Cf. {Complain}, {Plague}, {Plangent}.]
1. Audible expression of sorrow; lamentation; complaint;
hence, a mournful song; a lament. --Chaucer.``The
Psalmist's mournful plaint.'' --Wordsworth.
2. An accusation or protest on account of an injury.
There are three just grounds of war with Spain: one
of plaint, two upon defense. --Bacon.
3. (Law) A private memorial tendered to a court, in which a
person sets forth his cause of action; the exhibiting of
an action in writing. --Blackstone.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
plaint
n 1: a written statement of the grounds of complaint made to
court law asking for the grievance to be redressed
2: a cry of sorrow and grief; "their pitiful laments could be
heard throughout the ward" [syn: {lament}, {lamentation},
{wail}]
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