Definition: complaint

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

complaint
     n 1: an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for
          complaining [syn: ailment, ill]
     2: (formerly) a loud cry (or repeated cries) of pain or rage or
        sorrow
     3: an expression of grievance or resentment
     4: (civil law) the first pleading of the plaintiff setting out
        the facts on which the claim for relief is based
     5: (criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense;
        "he was arrested on a charge of larceny" [syn: charge]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Complaint \Com*plaint"\, n. [F. complainte. See Complain.]
   1. Expression of grief, regret, pain, censure, or resentment;
      lamentation; murmuring; accusation; fault-finding.

            I poured out my complaint before him. --Ps. cxlii.
                                                  2.

            Grievous complaints of you.           --Shak.

   2. Cause or subject of complaint or murmuring.

            The poverty of the clergy in England hath been the
            complaint of all who wish well to the church.
                                                  --Swift.

   3. An ailment or disease of the body.

            One in a complaint of his bowels.     --Arbuthnot.

   4. (Law) A formal allegation or charge against a party made
      or presented to the appropriate court or officer, as for a
      wrong done or a crime committed (in the latter case,
      generally under oath); an information; accusation; the
      initial bill in proceedings in equity.

   Syn: Lamentation; murmuring; sorrow; grief; disease; illness;
        disorder; malady; ailment.