Complain
[kəm'pleɪn] or [kəm'plen]
Definition
(verb.) make a formal accusation; bring a formal charge; 'The plaintiff's lawyer complained that he defendant had physically abused his client'.
(verb.) express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness; 'My mother complains all day'; 'She has a lot to kick about'.
Editor: Nita--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To give utterance to expression of grief, pain, censure, regret. etc.; to lament; to murmur; to find fault; -- commonly used with of. Also, to creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.
(v. i.) To make a formal accusation; to make a charge.
(v. t.) To lament; to bewail.
Typed by Dave
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. Murmur, lament, bewail, grumble, croak, find fault.
Checked by Elmer
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See GROWL]
Editor: Stanton
Definition
v.i. to express grief pain censure: to murmur or express a sense of injury: to accuse: to make a mournful sound: to be ill—e.g. 'to complain of a sore throat.'—n. complaint.—ns. Complain′ant one who complains: (law) one who raises a suit a plaintiff; Complain′er a murmurer: complainant; Complain′ing the action of the verb complain: complaint.—adv. Complain′ingly.—n. Complaint′ a complaining: an expression of grief: a representation of pains or injuries: a finding fault: the thing complained of: a disease: an ailment.
Edited by Albert
Examples
- As to all the rest, he was humble and contrite, and I never knew him complain. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Yet you told him to go, Mother, and didn't cry when he went, and never complain now, or seem as if you needed any help, said Jo, wondering. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Not that I complain, sir, of the eye of business being distrustful; quite the contrary. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- In the afternoon comes Thaka, possibly, to complain that old Mungo has stolen his new wife. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- What do you complain of? Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- She finds compensations, no doubt--I know she borrows money of Gus--but then I'd PAY her to keep him in a good humour, so I can't complain, after all. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Yet why complain more now than ever? Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Sophia appeared to dislike Lord Deerhurst of all things, and complained that he was unusually sparing of soap and water at his toilette. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- At the very time when he knew papa was lying ill by his wallflowers, looking at the blue sky, Laura complained. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- It is justly complained of that the Australian cooked meat is overcooked. William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- He complained, quite gravely, of the noises and the smells of London. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Trust me, what you have complained of is at an end for ever. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- I heard that you complained of thirst. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- There is an improvement in my uncle too, I think, though he never complained of old, and never exults now. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Mr. Casaubon, who had risen early complaining of palpitation, was in the library giving audience to his curate Mr. Tucker. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Her love made no answer; and after slightly bowing to the ladies, began complaining of the weather. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- There was no querulous complaining in the words, but they were not the less touching for that. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- He had not been complaining of ill health, but no doubt died of heart disease. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- And on his complaining that he is so troubled, it takes hold of the troublesome lady and shuts her up in prison under hard discipline. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- It is not of particular, but of general evils, which I am now complaining. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- I am afraid I have been very complaining, and very capricious. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- She gives a good account of her own health; but as she never complains, I dare not depend. Jane Austen. Emma.
- As Neddy is yet a young man, I hope he may get over the disorder he complains of, and in time wear it out. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- Not that James ever complains; but it is right to spare our horses when we can. Jane Austen. Emma.
- Celia complains a good deal. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Very well; but she complains of being unemployed. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- In the preamble, it complains much of the insolence of servants, who endeavoured to raise their wages upon their masters. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- They say the Oracle complains, in this hot weather, lately, that the only beverage in the ship that is passable, is the butter. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
Typed by Amalia