gravamen UK /ɡɹəˈveɪmɛn/US /ɡɹəˈveɪmən/ noun5 •A grievance complained of.In 1239, the bishops presented gravamina to the papal legate detailing 'prejudices of ecclesiastical liberty by the lord king and his bailiffs'. — 2013 •The essence or ground of a complaint.[P]roperly, no evidence can be read here that was not read below, and if evidence, which ought to have been read there, was rejected, that ought to be the gravamen of the appeal. — 1788 •The essence or most important aspect of a piece of writing, a point of argument, etc.; the gist.That neither Dr. Leask, nor myself, acted on such a principle, is the whole gravamen of our opponent's furious assaults upon us. — 1869 •A document sent by the Lower House of Convocation to the Upper House to inform the latter of certain grievances in the church. •(no longer used) A formal charge or complaint.In an Appeal, whether from a Gravamen or the Sentence, an Inhibition is issued from the Superior Court to the Inferior, to stop Proceedings. — 1779 formsgravamens · gravamina
