Main Entry:

al·lege

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈlej\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

al·leged; al·leg·ing

Etymology:

Middle English alleggen to submit in evidence or as justification, adduce, from Anglo-French aleger, allegger, probably in part modification of Medieval Latin allegare, from Latin, to send as a representative, adduce in support of a plea (from ad- + legare to depute), in part from Anglo-French aleger to lighten, free, exculpate, from Late Latin alleviare to relieve — more at legate, alleviate

Date:

14th century

1archaic : to adduce or bring forward as a source or authority2: to assert without proof or before proving <the newspaper alleges the mayor's guilt>3: to bring forward as a reason or excuse