Search Result for "grievance": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (3)

1. a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation;
- Example: "holding a grudge"
- Example: "settling a score"
[syn: grudge, score, grievance]

2. an allegation that something imposes an illegal obligation or denies some legal right or causes injustice;

3. a complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes resentment and is grounds for action; 



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Grievance \Griev"ance\, n. [OF. grevance. See Grieve, v. t.]
   1. A cause of uneasiness and complaint; a wrong done and
      suffered; that which gives ground for remonstrance or
      resistance, as arising from injustice, tyranny, etc.;
      injury.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Grieving; grief; affliction.
      [1913 Webster]

            The . . . grievance of a mind unreasonably yoked.
                                                  --Milton.

   Syn: Burden; oppression; hardship; trouble.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

grievance
    n 1: a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation; "holding
         a grudge"; "settling a score" [syn: grudge, score,
         grievance]
    2: an allegation that something imposes an illegal obligation or
       denies some legal right or causes injustice
    3: a complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes
       resentment and is grounds for action