Gravamen Definition

grə-vāmən
gravamens, gravamina
noun
A grievance.
Webster's New World
The essential part of a complaint or accusation.
Webster's New World
The substance or core argument of a legal document or position taken.
Webster's New World Law

The grievance complained of; the substantial cause of the action; also, in general, the ground or essence of a complaint.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Gravamen

Noun

Singular:
gravamen
Plural:
gravamens, gravamina

Origin of Gravamen

  • Medieval Latin gravāmen injury, accusation from Late Latin encumbrance, obligation from Latin gravāre to burden from gravis heavy grave2

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

  • Latin gravare (“to load”).

    From Wiktionary

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