allege

Meaning

Verb

• To state under oath, to plead.
• To cite or quote an author or his work for or against.
• To adduce (something) as a reason, excuse, support etc.
• To make a claim as justification or proof; to make an assertion without proof.
• To lighten, diminish.

Origin

• From Middle English aleggen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman aleger, the form from Old French esligier, from Medieval Latin ("to clear at law"), from Latin ex ("out") + lītigō, the meaning from Old French alleguer, from Latin allēgāre, present active infinitive of allēgō, from ad + lēgō.
• From Middle English alleggen, from Old French alegier, from Latin alleviāre, present active infinitive of alleviō, from ad + levis. alleviate.