kəmˈplānt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English compleynte, from Middle French complainte, from Old French, from feminine of complaint, past participle of complaindre
1.
a. obsolete : a cry or loud utterance or series of utterances of pain, rage, or sorrow : grieved or sorrowful outcry
b. : a formerly popular poem that laments or protests unrequited love or tells of personal misfortune, misery, or injustice
c. : the act or action of expressing protest, censure, or resentment : expression of injustice
a complaint about poor housing
on complaint of neighbors action was taken
d. : 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) and variously applied (as to the initial bill in proceedings in equity, the declaration in a common-law pleading, the statement of claim under the English practice acts, and the initial pleading under the code practice in various states of the United States)
2.
a. : something that is the cause or subject of protest or grieved outcry
lack of efficiency is the complaint of all who wish to better government
b. : an ailment or disease of the body
given to taking all sorts of medicine for vague complaints — Morris Fishbein