Plaint (?), n. [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
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.
© Webster 1913.