complaint Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
    ill; ailment.
  2. noun (formerly) a loud cry (or repeated cries) of pain or rage or sorrow
  3. noun an expression of grievance or resentment
  4. noun (civil law) the first pleading of the plaintiff setting out the facts on which the claim for relief is based
  5. noun (criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense
    charge.
    • he was arrested on a charge of larceny

WordNet

Com*plaint" noun
Etymology
F. complainte. See Complain.
Definitions
  1. Expression of grief, regret, pain, censure, or resentment; lamentation; murmuring; accusation; fault-finding.
    I poured out my complaint before him. Ps. cxlii. 2.
    Grievous complaints of you. Shak.
  2. Cause or subject of complaint or murmuring.
    The poverty of the clergy in England hath been the complaint of all who wish well to the church. Swift.
  3. An ailment or disease of the body.
    One in a complaint of his bowels. Arbuthnot.
  4. (Law) A formal allegation or charge against a party made or presented to the appropriate court or officer, as for a wrong done or a crime committed (in the latter case, generally under oath); an information; accusation; the initial bill in proceedings in equity. Syn. -- Lamentation; murmuring; sorrow; grief; disease; illness; disorder; malady; ailment.

Webster 1913