Plaint (?), n. [OE. plainte,
pleynte, F. plainte, fr. L. plangere,
planctum (plancta, fem. p. p.), to beat, beat the
breast, lament. Cf. Complain, Plague, Plangent.]
1. Audible expression of sorrow; lamentation;
complaint; hence, a mournful song; a lament. Chaucer."The
Psalmist's mournful plaint." Wordsworth.
2. An accusation or protest on account of an
injury.
There are three just grounds of war with Spain: one of
plaint, two upon defense.
Bacon.
3. (Law) A private memorial tendered to
a court, in which a person sets forth his cause of action; the
exhibiting of an action in writing. Blackstone.