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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An accusation or protest on account of an injury. [ 1913 Webster ]

There are three just grounds of war with Spain: one of plaint, two upon defense. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Containing a plaint; complaining; expressing sorrow with an audible voice. “My plaintful tongue.” Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. plaintif making complaint, plaintive; in Old French equiv. to plaignant complainant, prosecutor, fr. plaindre. See Plaint, and cf. Plaintive. ] (Law) One who commences a personal action or suit to obtain a remedy for an injury to his rights; -- opposed to defendant. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. See Plaintive. [ Obs. ] Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. plaintif. See Plaintiff, n. ] 1. Repining; complaining; lamenting. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Expressive of sorrow or melancholy; mournful; sad. “The most plaintive ditty.” Landor. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Plain"tive*ly, adv. -- Plain"tive*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Without complaint; unrepining. “Plaintless patience.” Savage. [ 1913 Webster ]