plaint etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The word "plaint" is derived from the Anglo-French word "pleinant," which in turn comes from the Latin verb "plangere," meaning "to weep" or "to lament." It entered the English language in the 14th century.

The term "plaint" has two main meanings:

• A formal complaint: A legal document that sets forth the grievances of a plaintiff in a civil case, alleging a wrong and seeking relief from a court.
• An expression of sorrow or regret: A verbal or written lamentation or utterance of grief, often used in poetry or literature.

Origin

The word "plangere" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root pleḱ-, which meant "to strike" or "to beat." This root is also found in other words related to sound, such as "clap" and "play."

Over time, the meaning of "plangere" evolved from "to strike" to "to weep" or "to lament." This semantic shift may have occurred due to the association between physical pain and emotional distress. In many cultures, people express sorrow or pain through crying or other physical manifestations.

Additional Notes

• The term "plaint" is often used in conjunction with other legal terms, such as "petition" and "complaint."
• In some contexts, "plaint" can also refer to a simple request or plea.
• The related word "plaintive" describes something that is mournful or sorrowful in tone.

plaint relate terms

• plaintiff

  Etymology Middle English pleintif from Anglo Norman French pleintif from Old French

• plaint

  Etymology and Meaning The word plaint is derived from the Anglo French word pleinant

• plaintive

  Etymology Latin plangere to wail lament Old French plaintif complaining mour

• plaintive

  Etymology Latin plangere to wail lament Old French plaintif complaining mour

• plaint

  Etymology and Meaning The word plaint is derived from the Anglo French word pleinant

• apoplexy

  Etymology Origin Greek apoplexia from apo away plexia stroke First use in

• cataplexy

• complain

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

• fling

  Etymology The word fling is derived from the Middle English word flingen which means

• paraplegia

  Etymology Greek para beside plegia paralysis Meaning Paraplegia is a med

• plaint

  Etymology and Meaning The word plaint is derived from the Anglo French word pleinant

• plangent

  Etymology The word plangent originates from the Latin word plangere which means to

• plankton

  Etymology Plánktos Greek drifting or wandering Meaning Plankton is a term u

• planxty

  Etymology From Irish planctach collective modern Irish plancaí meaning a lament

• plague

  Etymology The word plague comes from the Latin word plaga which means blow or wo

• plectrum

  Etymology Ancient Greek πλῆκτρον plēktron meaning an instrument for stri

• quadriplegia

  Etymology Quadri Latin four plegia Greek paralysis Meaning Quadriplegia is

• lamentation

  Etymology The word lamentation is derived from the Latin word lamentari which means

• crime

  Etymology The word crime originates from the Latin word crimen which means accusat

• complaint

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

• mantel

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

• mantle

  Etymology The word mantle derives from the Middle English term mantel which origina

• mental

  Etymology Mental Derived from the Latin word mens meaning mind or intellect

• allegation

  Etymology From Middle English allegacioun from Anglo Norman French allegaciun from La

• scruple

  Etymology Middle English scropele scropil from Old French escrupule escrople from L

• synagogue

  Etymology Latin synagōga Greek συναγωγή sunagōgē Meaning A Jewish h

• crucible

  Etymology Old French creuset Late Latin crucibulum a diminutive of crux cross Latin