— complainable , adj. — complainer , n. — complainingly , adv.
/keuhm playn"/ , v.i.
1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault: He complained constantly about the noise in the corridor.
2. to tell of one's pains, ailments, etc.: to complain of a backache.
3. to make a formal accusation: If you think you've been swindled, complain to the police.
[ 1350-1400; ME compleinen compleign-, s. of compleindre, OF complaindre complangere, equiv. to L com- COM- + plangere to lament; see PLAINT ]
Syn. 1. COMPLAIN, GRUMBLE, GROWL, WHINE are terms for expressing dissatisfaction or discomfort. TO COMPLAIN is to protest against or lament a wrong: to complain about high prices. To GRUMBLE is to utter ill-natured complaints half to oneself: to grumble about the service. GROWL may express more anger than GRUMBLE: to growl in reply to a question. TO WHINE is to complain in a meanspirited way, using a nasal tone: to whine like a coward, like a spoiled child.
Ant. 1. rejoice.