Allege Definition

ə-lĕj

alleged, alleges, alleging

verb

alleged, alleges, alleging

To assert to be true; affirm.

Alleging his innocence of the charge.

American Heritage

To assert positively, or declare; affirm; esp., to assert without proof.

Webster's New World

To assert prior to a final determination.

The indictment alleges that the commissioner took bribes.

American Heritage

To offer as a plea, excuse, etc.

In his defense he alleged temporary insanity.

Webster's New World

To state (a plea or excuse, for example) in support or denial of a claim or accusation.

The defendant alleges temporary insanity.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Allege

From Middle English aleggen, from Anglo-Norman aleger, the form from Old French esligier, from Medieval Latin *exlītigāre (“to clear at law”), from Latin ex (“out”) + lītigō (“sue at law”), the meaning from Old French alleguer, from Latin allēgāre, present active infinitive of allēgō (“send, depute; relate, mention, adduce”), from ad (“to”) + lēgō (“send”).

From Wiktionary
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 exlītigāre to clear at law Latin ex- out ex– Latin lītigāre to sue litigate

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French alegier, from Latin alleviāre, present active infinitive of alleviō (“lighten”), from ad + levis (“light”).

From Wiktionary