complain etymology

Etymology

  • Origin: Old French: complaindre, a derivative of Late Latin: complangere, meaning "to lament, to wail"
  • Language of Origin: Latin

Meaning

  • To express dissatisfaction or annoyance, especially about something considered unfair or unsatisfactory
  • To make a formal complaint to an authority, typically in writing
  • To express sympathy or condolences for someone who has suffered a loss or misfortune

Word Structure

  • Com-: Prefix meaning "together with" or "thoroughly"
  • Plaingere: Latin verb meaning "to lament"

Historical Usage

  • The word "complain" was first used in the 13th century.
  • Initially, it referred to the act of lamenting or wailing, typically in expressions of grief or pain.
  • Over time, it came to be used more broadly to express dissatisfaction or annoyance with a particular situation or person.

Current Usage

  • Today, "complain" is a common word used in both formal and informal contexts.
  • It is often used to express negative feelings about a product, service, or experience.
  • In a legal context, "complain" can refer to the formal process of making an accusation or grievance.

Related Words

  • Complaint
  • Complainer
  • Complaining
  • Complainant

complain relate terms

  • complaining

    Etymology Complain comes from the Middle English complaynen which in turn derives fr

  • complain

    Etymology Origin Old French complaindre a derivative of Late Latin complangere mean

  • complainant

    Etymology The word complainant comes from the Latin word complangere which means to

  • complain

    Etymology Origin Old French complaindre a derivative of Late Latin complangere mean

  • complaint

    Etymology The word complaint comes from the Old French word complaindre which means

  • cheer

    Etymology The word cheer has its roots in the Middle English word chere which in tu

  • plain

    Etymology Plain derives from the Old French word plain which in turn comes from the

  • expostulate

    Etymology Latin expostulare meaning demand an explanation Proto Indo European eks

  • care

    Etymology From Middle English care from Old English cāru meaning sorrow anxiety g

  • challenge

    Etymology The word challenge derives from the Old French word chalenge which itself

  • protest

    Etymology The word protest comes from the Late Latin word protestari meaning to bea

  • murmur

    Etymology Latin murmurium meaning a murmuring sound Onomatopoeic The word is belie

  • mantel

    Etymology From Middle French mantel from Old French mantel from Late Latin mantellum