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.