Com*plaint" (?), n. [F.
complainte. See Complain.] 1.
Expression of grief, regret, pain, censure, or resentment;
lamentation; murmuring; accusation; fault-finding.
I poured out my complaint before him.
Ps. cxlii. 2.
Grievous complaints of you.
Shak.
2. Cause or subject of complaint or
murmuring.
The poverty of the clergy in England hath been the
complaint of all who wish well to the church.
Swift.
3. An ailment or disease of the
body.
One in a complaint of his bowels.
Arbuthnot.
4. (Law) A formal allegation or
charge against a party made or presented to the appropriate court
or officer, as for a wrong done or a crime committed (in the
latter case, generally under oath); an information; accusation;
the initial bill in proceedings in equity.
Syn. -- Lamentation; murmuring; sorrow; grief; disease;
illness; disorder; malady; ailment.
