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complains - 2 dictionary results
com⋅plain
[kuh
m-pleyn] 
–verb (used without object)
| 1. | to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault: He complained constantly about the noise in the corridor. |
| 2. | to tell of one's pains, ailments, etc.: to complain of a backache. |
| 3. | to make a formal accusation: If you think you've been swindled, complain to the police. |
Origin:
1350–1400; ME compleinen < AF compleign-, s. of compleindre, OF complaindre < VL *complangere, equiv. to L com- com- + plangere to lament; see plaint
1350–1400; ME compleinen < AF compleign-, s. of compleindre, OF complaindre < VL *complangere, equiv. to L com- com- + plangere to lament; see plaint
Related forms:
com⋅plain⋅a⋅ble, adjective
com⋅plain⋅er, noun
com⋅plain⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Synonyms:
1. Complain, grumble, growl, whine are terms for expressing dissatisfaction or discomfort. To complain is to protest against or lament a wrong: to complain about high prices. To grumble is to utter ill-natured complaints half to oneself: to grumble about the service. Growl may express more anger than grumble: to growl in reply to a question. To whine is to complain in a meanspirited way, using a nasal tone: to whine like a coward, like a spoiled child.
1. Complain, grumble, growl, whine are terms for expressing dissatisfaction or discomfort. To complain is to protest against or lament a wrong: to complain about high prices. To grumble is to utter ill-natured complaints half to oneself: to grumble about the service. Growl may express more anger than grumble: to growl in reply to a question. To whine is to complain in a meanspirited way, using a nasal tone: to whine like a coward, like a spoiled child.
Antonyms:
1. rejoice.
1. rejoice.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To complains
| com·plain (kəm-plān') intr.v. com·plained, com·plain·ing, com·plains
[Middle English compleinen, from Old French complaindre, complaign-, from Vulgar Latin *complangere : Latin com-, intensive pref.; see com- + Latin plangere, to lament; see plāk-2 in Indo-European roots.] com·plain'er n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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