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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Complaint, Complant(e, n. Also: complaynt. [ME. complaint, -playnt(e, -pleynte (Chaucer), OF. complainte. Cf. Complent.]

1. A formal statement of a grievance made to some one in authority.(a) 1398 Acts I. 211/2.
That thai at thair likynge gif thair complayntis in to writ to the lieutenande Ib. 212/1.
Apon the complayntis of our lady the qwene anentis hyr pension 1409 Exch. R. IV. p. ccxi.
Askand thaim to be submitted to thaim and to thair counselis … apon sic complaintis 1456 Hay I. 115/9.
It efferis to the constable to here all … complayntis of his menȝe and thair anerdaris 1466 Acta Aud. 5/1.
Robert … in presens of the lordis audetouris of complaintis deponit and made faith that [etc.] 1483 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 47.
Thair complaint buir … that thay war rycht havely hurt … throw the doun cumming of the blak money 1539 Ib. II. 97.
We will defend oure nychtbouris of the craftis and dekynnis anent the complaynttis gevin in aganis the said Alexander 1552 Reg. Privy C. I. 127.
The greit and hevy complaynt maid be the pur liegis of this realme, makand mentioun [etc.] 1583 St. A. Baxter Bks. 35.
Forsamekle as thair was ane bill of complaint gevin in before Jhonne Valle(b) a1400 Leg. S. xxxi. 364.
Scho thocht wele to … plenȝe on hyme, or he had Til ony of hyr complant mad 1458 Peebles B. Rec. 129.
Thar com in Andro Robenson with a byl [of] complant on his eldmoder 1471 Acta Aud. 22/2.
Falȝeing that thai couth nocht aggre … , the lordis auditouris of causis and complantis to be ourman 1513 Doug. x. ii. 94.
Now, al to layt, with thyne iniust complantis Aganyst ws thou rysys, and attantis 1533 Boece i. iii. 37.
Scottis … to Metellius in Spaneȝe direct ambassiatouris … quhilk to the king suld schaw thair complante a1578 Pitsc. I. 14/14.
Sa money complanttis was meid to the gouernour … vpon him 1636 Kirkcaldy Presb. 101.
Mr. Iohn Chalmer presented ane complant … aganest Iames Abercrombie

2. An expression of grief; a lament. 1461 Liber Plusc. 383.
Becaus the complant is bot fenyeit thing 1513 Doug. iv. x. 63.
Syk gret complayntis from hir breist bryst kan