[uh-lej] 
| 1. | to assert without proof. |
| 2. | to declare with positiveness; affirm; assert: to allege a fact. |
| 3. | to declare before a court or elsewhere, as if under oath. |
| 4. | to plead in support of; offer as a reason or excuse. |
| 5. | Archaic. to cite or quote in confirmation. |
| al·lege (ə-lěj') tr.v. al·leged, al·leg·ing, al·leg·es
[Middle English alleggen, from Old French alegier, to vindicate, justify (influenced by aleguer, to give a reason), from esligier, to pay a fine, justify oneself, from Late Latin *exlītigāre, to clear at law : Latin ex-, out; see ex- + Latin lītigāre, to sue; see litigate.] al·lege'a·ble adj., al·leg'er n. |