PLAINT, noun [Latin plango, to strike, to beat, to lament, whence complaint; Gr. to strike, from the root disused, whence, a stroke; Latin plaga, Eng. plague.] 1. Lamentation; complaint; audible expression of sorrow. From inward grief His bursting passion into plaints thus pour'd. 2. Complaint; representation made of injury or wrong done. There are three just grounds of war with Spain; one of plaints; two upon defense. 3. In law, a private memorial tendered to a court, in which the person sets forth his cause of action. 4. In law, a complaint; a formal accusation exhibited by a private person against an offender for a breach of law or a public offense.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI