Inflected forms: al·leged, al·leg·ing, al·leg·es 1. To assert to be true; affirm: alleging his innocence of the charge.2. To assert without or before proof: The indictment alleges that the commissioner took bribes.3. To state (a plea or excuse, for example) in support or denial of a claim or accusation: The defendant alleges temporary insanity.4.Archaic To bring forward as an authority.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English alleggen, from Old French alegier, to vindicate, justify (influenced by aleguer, to give a reason), from esligier, to pay a fine, justify oneself, from Late Latin *exltigre, to clear at law : Latin ex-, out; see ex– + Latin ltigre, to sue; see litigate.
-l
j
tig
re, to clear at law : Latin ex-, out; see ex– + Latin l
