ˈgrēvən(t)s noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English grevaunce, from Old French grevance, from grever to afflict, grieve + -ance — more at grieve
1.
a. : suffering , grief , distress
grievances illegally inflicted upon men by the king's ministers — J.G.Edwards
b. archaic : the infliction of a grievance
2. : aggrieved state : anger , annoyance , displeasure
went their own way blithely, to the grievance of their leaders
have long cherished a grievance against whistlers in public places
3.
a. : a cause of uneasiness or distress felt to afford rightful reason for reproach, complaint, or resistance
the grievance of taxation without representation
they had many grievances
b. : a working condition considered unsatisfactory and objected to by labor
failure to respect seniority rights was a major grievance
especially : one involving violation of a collective agreement
4. : a complaint by an employee or a body of employees of unfair treatment by the employer
a joint labor-management committee to act on grievances