/keuhm playnt"/ , n.
1. an expression of discontent, regret, pain, censure, resentment, or grief; lament; faultfinding: his complaint about poor schools.
2. a cause of discontent, pain, grief, lamentation, etc.
3. a cause of bodily pain or ailment; malady: The doctor says I suffer from a rare complaint.
4. Law. the first pleading of the plaintiff in a civil action, stating the cause of action.
[ 1350-1400; ME compleynte complainte com- COM- + plancta PLAINT ]
Syn. 3. sickness, illness, ailment.