Allege Definition

ə-lĕj
alleged, alleges, alleging
verb
alleged, alleges, alleging
To assert to be true; affirm.
Alleging his innocence of the charge.
American Heritage
To assert positively, or declare; affirm; esp., to assert without proof.
Webster's New World
To assert prior to a final determination.
The indictment alleges that the commissioner took bribes.
American Heritage
To offer as a plea, excuse, etc.
In his defense he alleged temporary insanity.
Webster's New World
To state (a plea or excuse, for example) in support or denial of a claim or accusation.
The defendant alleges temporary insanity.
American Heritage

Origin of Allege

  • From Middle English aleggen, from Anglo-Norman aleger, the form from Old French esligier, from Medieval Latin *exlītigāre (“to clear at law”), from Latin ex (“out”) + lītigō (“sue at law”), the meaning from Old French alleguer, from Latin allēgāre, present active infinitive of allēgō (“send, depute; relate, mention, adduce”), from ad (“to”) + lēgō (“send”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English alleggen from Old French alegier to vindicate, justify (influenced by aleguer to give a reason) from esligier to pay a fine, justify oneself from Late Latin exlītigāre to clear at law Latin ex- out ex– Latin lītigāre to sue litigate

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French alegier, from Latin alleviāre, present active infinitive of alleviō (“lighten”), from ad + levis (“light”).

    From Wiktionary

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