allege Hear it!

allege Definition

al·lege (ə lej′)

transitive verb alleged -·leged′, alleging -·leg′·ing

  1. to assert positively, or declare; affirm; esp., to assert without proof
  2. to offer as a plea, excuse, etc. in his defense he alleged temporary insanity
  3. Archaic to cite as an authority (for or against)

Etymology: ME aleggen, to produce as evidence; form < OFr esligier < VL *exlitigare < L ex-, out of + litigare (see litigate); meaning infl. by OFr alleguer, declare on oath < L allegare, to send, mention, adduce < ad-, to + legare, to send: see legate

Related Forms:

allege Synonyms

allege

v.

assert, affirm, testify, claim; see declare 1.

allege Usage Examples

Object

  • breach: The Group of Experts has issued reports which allege widespread breaches of the embargo by states or individuals.
  • maladministration: You also allege maladministration in that you consider the change an error on the part of the council.

Preposition: that

  • officer: She further alleges that the officers told her that probably nothing will happen.
  • man: David Blunkett alleges that the 10 men, all foreign nationals, were connected to groups linked to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida.