English

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Etymology

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From Middle English plaintif, from Anglo-Norman, from Old French plaintif (complaining”; as a noun, “one who complains, a plaintiff) from the verb plaindre. Doublet of plaintive.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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plaintiff (plural plaintiffs)

  1. (law, UK historical, otherwise current) A party bringing a suit in civil law against a defendant; accuser.
    Synonyms: actor, (English and Singapore law) claimant, complainant, litigant, (Scots law) pursuer
    Antonym: defendant
    Hypernyms: litigant, litigator
    Hyponyms: petitioner, suer

Usage notes

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Plaintiff is used in civil law, and should not be confused with complainant, the alleged victim in a criminal prosecution (who is not a party to the legal proceeding).

Derived terms

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Translations

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Further reading

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