ˈplāntə̇f noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English plaintif, from Middle French, from plaintif lamenting, complaining — more at plaintive
1. : one who commences a personal action or lawsuit to obtain a remedy for an injury to his rights — opposed to defendant ; compare prosecutor
2. : the complaining party in any litigation including demandant in real actions, the complainant in equity, and the libelant in divorce