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GRIEVANCE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes resentment and is grounds for action
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("grievance" is a kind of...):
complaint (an expression of grievance or resentment)
Sense 2
Meaning:
An allegation that something imposes an illegal obligation or denies some legal right or causes injustice
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("grievance" is a kind of...):
allegation ((law) a formal accusation against somebody (often in a court of law))
Sense 3
Meaning:
A resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
Example:
settling a score
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting feelings and emotions
Hypernyms ("grievance" is a kind of...):
bitterness; gall; rancor; rancour; resentment (a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will)
Context examples:
A few words from the prince disposed of each case, and, if the applicant liked not the judgment, a quick glance from the prince's dark eyes sent him to the door with the grievance all gone out of him.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The general public, however, which most unreasonably entertained a grievance at having been excluded, stormed the doors at a quarter to eight, after a prolonged melee in which several people were injured, including Inspector Scoble of H. Division, whose leg was unfortunately broken.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
It was in a way akin to that common habit of men and women troubled by real or fancied grievances, who periodically and volubly break their long-suffering silence and have their say till the last word is said.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
But the chief grievance that rankled in her soul, and gave an excuse for her unfriendly conduct, was a rumor which some obliging gossip had whispered to her, that the March girls had made fun of her at the Lambs'.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
“I cannot see their grievance, Captain Ball,” said Cochrane.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
She saw that he wanted to engage her on the old subject of his grievances, and she was in no humour to indulge him.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
Mrs. Norris could not speak with any temper of such grievances, nor of the quantity of butter and eggs that were regularly consumed in the house.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Tell your aunt, little Emma, that she ought to set you a better example than to be renewing old grievances, and that if she were not wrong before, she is now.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
She could do little more than listen patiently, soften every grievance, and excuse each to the other; give them all hints of the forbearance necessary between such near neighbours, and make those hints broadest which were meant for her sister's benefit.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
Whilst Chandos had been conversing with the two knights a continuous stream of suitors had been ushered in, adventurers seeking to sell their swords and merchants clamoring over some grievance, a ship detained for the carriage of troops, or a tun of sweet wine which had the bottom knocked out by a troop of thirsty archers.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
