al|lege

al|lege «uh LEHJ», transitive verb, -leged, -leg|ing.

1. to state positively; assert; declare: »

This man alleges that his watch has been stolen.

2. to assert without proof; claim: »

The alleged theft never really happened. Where much is alleged something must be true (Edward Gibbon). Union headquarters are investigating the latest case of alleged interference with voting in a recent election (London Times).

SYNONYM(S): affirm.

3. to give as a reason, excuse, or argument; bring forward: »

He was tardy this morning and alleges that his bus was late.

4. Archaic. to quote (an author, work, etc.); cite.

╂[< Anglo-French alegier, alteration of Old French esligier buy free and clear (< Latin ex- out + lītigāre bring suit), but with meaning of Latin allēgāre cite, charge]

–al|lege´a|ble, adjective.

–al|leg´er, noun.