There are three just grounds of war with Spain: one of plaint, two
upon defense.
Bacon.
3. (Law) A private memorial tendered to a court, in which a person sets
forth his cause of action; the exhibiting of an action in writing.
Blackstone.
<! p. 1094 !>
Plaint"ful (?), a. Containing a plaint; complaining; expressing sorrow
with an audible voice. "My plaintful tongue." Sir P. Sidney.
Plain"tiff (?), n. [F. plaintif making complaint, plaintive; in Old
French equiv. to plaignant complainant, prosecutor, fr. plaindre. See
Plaint, and cf. Plaintive.] (Law) One who commences a personal action
or suit to obtain a remedy for an injury to his rights; -- opposed to
defendant.
Plain"tiff, a. See Plaintive. [Obs.] Prior.
Plain"tive (?), a. [F. plaintif. See Plaintiff, n.] 1. Repining;
complaining; lamenting. Dryden.
2. Expressive of sorrow or melancholy; mournful; sad. "The most
plaintive ditty." Landor.
-- Plain"tive*ly, adv. -- Plain"tive*ness, n.
Plaint"less (?), a. Without complaint; unrepining. "Plaintless
patience." Savage.
Plai`sance" (?), n. [F.] See Pleasance.