PLAINT

In Englis,h practice, A pri· vate memorial tendered in open court to the judge, wherein the party injured sets forth his cause of action. A proceeding in inferior courts by which an action is commenced without original writ. 3 BI. Comm. 373. This mode o't proceeding is commonly adopted in cases of replevin. 3 Steph. Comm. 600.. In the civil law, A complaint; a form of action, particularly one for setting aside a testament alleged to be invalid. This word is the English equivalent of the Latin "querela.•" [s. 908]