complain

Where does the word "complain" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin complangere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Complain’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: complangere meant “to bewail.” 'com-' plus 'plangere', to strike the breast in grief, the root of 'plaintive'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as complaindre. Also gives 'plaintiff'. It reached English by 1300s as complain. Shifted from grieving to grumbling. Today, complain means to express dissatisfaction.

1. Stage 1 · Vulgar Latin · ancient complangere "to bewail", 'com-' plus 'plangere', to strike the breast in grief, the root of 'plaintive'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval complaindre "to lament", also gives 'plaintiff'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s complain "to lament", shifted from grieving to grumbling.