ˌalə̇ˈgāshən, -ēˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English allegacioun, from Middle French allegation, from Latin allegation-, allegatio, from allegatus (past participle of allegare to send on an errand, cite, adduce, from ad- + legare to send with a commission or charge, depute) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at legate
1. : the act of alleging or asserting positively often before a court
2. : something asserted or declared : a positive assertion : formal averment
suffered dismissal … after unproved allegations of “pro-Germanism” — American Guide Series: Minnesota
specifically : a statement by a party to a legal action of what he undertakes to prove — usually applied to each separate averment; see charge , count
3. : an assertion unsupported and by implication regarded as unsupportable
the absurd and familiar allegation — Encounter
there were several allegations … none of them creditable — Audrey Barker
vague allegations of misconduct