Complain
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -eɪn
Origin
From Middle English complaynen, from Old French complaindre, from Medieval Latin complangere ("to bewail, complain"), from Latin com- ("together") + plangere ("to strike, beat, as the breast in extreme grief, bewail"); see plain, plaint.
Full definition of complain
Verb
- (intransitive) To express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment.Joe was always complaining about the noise made by his neighbours.
- MiltonO loss of sight, of thee I most complain!
- (intransitive) To make a formal accusation or bring a formal charge.They've complained about me to the police again.
- ShakespeareNow, Master Shallow, you'll complain of me to the king?
- To creak or squeak, as a timber or wheel.the complaining bed-springs