1.
[syn: complain, kick, plain, sound off, quetch, kvetch]
2. make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge;
- Example: "The plaintiff's lawyer complained that he defendant had physically abused his client"
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Complain \Com*plain"\ (k[o^]m*pl[=a]n"), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
Complained (k[o^]m*pl[=a]nd"); p. pr. & vb. n.
Complaining.] [F. complaindre, LL. complangere; com- + L.
plangere to strike, beat, to beat the breast or head as a
sign of grief, to lament. See Plaint.]
1. To give utterance to expression of grief, pain, censure,
regret. etc.; to lament; to murmur; to find fault; --
commonly used with of. Also, to creak or squeak, as a
timber or wheel.
[1913 Webster]
O loss of sight, of thee I most complain! --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. To make a formal accusation; to make a charge.
[1913 Webster]
Now, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to the
king? --Shak.
Syn: To repine; grumble; deplore; bewail; grieve; mourn;
regret; murmur.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Complain \Com*plain"\, v. t.
To lament; to bewail. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
They might the grievance inwardly complain. --Daniel.
[1913 Webster]
By chaste Lucrece's soul that late complain'd
Her wrongs to us. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
complain
v 1: express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or
unhappiness; "My mother complains all day"; "She has a lot
to kick about" [syn: complain, kick, plain, sound
off, quetch, kvetch] [ant: cheer, cheer up, chirk
up]
2: make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge; "The
plaintiff's lawyer complained that he defendant had
physically abused his client"