Part 314

Plain"ness, n. The quality or state of being plain.

Plains"man (?), n.; pl. - men (&?;). One who lives in the plains.

Plain"-spo`ken (?), a. Speaking with plain, unreserved sincerity; also, spoken sincerely; as, plain-spoken words. Dryden.

Plaint (?), n. [OE. plainte, pleynte, F. plainte, fr. L. plangere, planctum (plancta, fem. p. p.), to beat, beat the breast, lament. Cf. Complain, Plague, Plangent.] 1. Audible expression of sorrow; lamentation; complaint; hence, a mournful song; a lament. Chaucer."The Psalmist's mournful plaint." Wordsworth.

2. An accusation or protest on account of an injury.

There are three just grounds of war with Spain: one of plaint, two upon defense.

Bacon.

3. (Law) A private memorial tendered to a court, in which a person sets forth his cause of action; the exhibiting of an action in writing. Blackstone.

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Plaint"ful (?), a. Containing a plaint; complaining; expressing sorrow with an audible voice. "My plaintful tongue." Sir P. Sidney.

Plain"tiff (?), n. [F. plaintif making complaint, plaintive; in Old French equiv. to plaignant complainant, prosecutor, fr. plaindre. See Plaint, and cf. Plaintive.] (Law) One who commences a personal action or suit to obtain a remedy for an injury to his rights; -- opposed to defendant.

Plain"tiff, a. See Plaintive. [Obs.] Prior.

Plain"tive (?), a. [F. plaintif. See Plaintiff, n.] 1. Repining; complaining; lamenting. Dryden.

2. Expressive of sorrow or melancholy; mournful; sad. "The most plaintive ditty." Landor.

-- Plain"tive*ly, adv. -- Plain"tive*ness, n.

Plaint"less (?), a. Without complaint; unrepining. "Plaintless patience." Savage.

Plai`sance" (?), n. [F.] See Pleasance.

Plaise (?), n. (Zoˆl.) See Plaice. [Obs.]

Plais"ter (?), n. [Obs.] See Plaster.

Plait (?), n. [OE. playte, OF. pleit, L. plicatum, plicitum, p. p. of plicare to fold, akin to plectere to plait. See Ply, and cf. Plat to weave, Pleat, Plight fold.] 1. A flat fold; a doubling, as of cloth; a pleat; as, a box plait.

The plaits and foldings of the drapery.

Addison.

2. A braid, as of hair or straw; a plat.

Polish plait. (Med.) Same as Plica.

Plait, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plaited; p. pr. & vb. n. Plaiting.] 1. To fold; to double in narrow folds; to pleat; as, to plait a ruffle.

2. To interweave the strands or locks of; to braid; to plat; as, to plait hair; to plait rope.

Plait"ed, a. Folded; doubled over; braided; figuratively, involved; intricate; artful.

Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides.