Latin for Lawyers

COMPLAIN, COMPLAINT [L. com / together + plango, plangere / to beat the breast, to lament; to bewail] To express disapproval or hostility. To object to or about. To express unhappi ness, grief or discontent. To present a grievance, as to complain about a price. To present a formal claim, accusation or charge. To submit or serve a legal complaint.The complaint is the initial pleading under which a plaintiff begins a lawsuit by setting forth the allegations of fact supporting and constituting his claim for relief. Also, the document attested to by a police officer alleging the commission of a crime by the defendant. COMPLICITY [L. complicare / to fold together; to make involved or intricate; confuse] Involved as a participant or co-conspirator in the commission of an unlawful act or crime. COMPLY, COMPLIANCE [L. compleo, complere / to fill up; to fulfill; to complete] To accede to a wish or command. To do as directed. To conduct oneself as required by a rule or order. Compliance is the act of acceding to an order, such as the order or injunction of a court. COMPOSITION [L. componere / to bring or put together; to arrange, collect] In law, an agreement between a debtor and two or more of his creditors con cerning the collection of the debtor’s assets and the application of those assets to payment of the creditors’ claims. The agreement may include a reduction in the debts, an extension of time for payment, the surrender of certain assets of the debtor, and the release or discharge of the debtor. COMPOS MENTIS [L. compos / having control of + mens / mind] In control of one’s mind; sane; mentally competent. See NON COMPOS MENTIS COMPOUND [L. compono, componere / to put or bring together; to join together] To put together a variety of ingredients to form a new, integrated substance. To settle amicably. But also, to aggravate or make worse, as in he com pounded his error . To agree not to prosecute a criminal offense in exchange for payment or consideration. ( Compounding a felony was itself a felony at common law.) To compute and pay interest not only on the outstanding prin cipal of a debt but also on the accrued interest, as contrasted with simple interest. Also, a group of buildings enclosed by a wall or fence.

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