Category:Plaint

Plaint, n. Etym: [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)

Defn: 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.