complain

 
Pronunciation: /kəmˈpleɪn/

verb

  • 1 [reporting verb] express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something: [with clause]: local authorities complained that they lacked sufficient resources [with direct speech]: ‘You never listen to me,’ Larry complained [no object]: we all complained bitterly about the food
  • [no object] (of a structure or mechanism) groan or creak under strain.
  • [no object] literary make a mournful sound: let the warbling flute complain
  • 2 [no object] (complain of) state that one is suffering from (a pain or other symptom of illness): her husband began to complain of headaches

Derivatives

complainer

noun

complainingly

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French complaindre, from medieval Latin complangere 'bewail', from Latin com- (expressing intensive force) + plangere 'to lament'