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grievance

 - 4 dictionary results

griev⋅ance

[gree-vuhns]
–noun
1. a wrong considered as grounds for complaint, or something believed to cause distress: Inequitable taxation is the chief grievance.
2. a complaint or resentment, as against an unjust or unfair act: to have a grievance against someone.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME greva(u)nce < OF grevance. See grieve, -ance


1. affront, injustice, hurt, injury, distress.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To grievance
griev·ance   (grē'vəns)   
n.  
    1. An actual or supposed circumstance regarded as just cause for complaint.

    2. A complaint or protestation based on such a circumstance. See Synonyms at injustice.

    3. The act of inflicting hardship or harm.

    4. The cause of hardship or harm.

  1. Indignation or resentment stemming from a feeling of having been wronged.

  2. Obsolete

    1. The act of inflicting hardship or harm.

    2. The cause of hardship or harm.


[Middle English grevaunce, from Old French grevance, from grever, to harm; see grieve.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: griev·ance
Pronunciation: 'grE-v&ns
Function: noun
1 : a cause of distress (as an unsatisfactory working condition or unfair labor practice) felt to afford a reason for complaint or dispute; especially : a violation of a collective bargaining agreement usually by the employer
2 : the formal expression of a grievance brought esp. by an employee as the initial step toward resolution through a grievance procedure —see also ARBITRATION grievance arbitration at ARBITRATION, MEDIATION
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

grievance

see air one's grievances.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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