the legal code of ancient Rome; codified under Justinian; the basis for many modern systems of civil law | an expression of grievance or resentment |
the body of laws established by a state or nation for its own regulation | (formerly) a loud cry (or repeated cries) of pain or rage or sorrow |
| (civil law) the first pleading of the plaintiff setting out the facts on which the claim for relief is based |
| (criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense |
| an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining |