ˈplānt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin planctus, from planctus, past participle of plangere to strike, beat, beat one's breast, lament; akin to Latin plaga blow, Greek plēgē blow, plēssein to strike, Old English flōcan to applaud, Old High German fluokhōn to curse
1. : an audible expression of or as if of woe : lamentation , wail
a plaint over a lost doll
did not squeal, as vulgar pigs do, but uttered a sweet little plaint — Raymond Weeks
2.
a. : a critical protest : complaint
their plaints to the papers gave a picture of suffering which impressed contemporary students of the social scene — Roy Lewis & Angus Maude
b. : a legal written complaint especially in county-court practice in England