Al*lege", v. t. [See Allay.] To
alleviate; to lighten, as a burden or a trouble. [Obs.]
Wyclif.
Al*lege" (ăl*lĕj"), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Alleged (-lĕjd"); p.
pr. & vb. n. Alleging.] [OE. aleggen to bring
forward as evidence, OF. esligier to buy, prop. to free from legal
difficulties, fr. an assumed LL. exlitigare; L. ex +
litigare to quarrel, sue (see Litigate). The word was
confused with L. allegare (see Allegation), and lex
law. Cf. Allay.] 1. To bring forward with
positiveness; to declare; to affirm; to assert; as, to allege a
fact.
2. To cite or quote; as, to allege the
authority of a judge. [Archaic]
3. To produce or urge as a reason, plea, or excuse;
as, he refused to lend, alleging a resolution against
lending.
Syn. -- To bring forward; adduce; advance; assign; produce;
declare; affirm; assert; aver; predicate.