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

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