gravamen

[ gruh-vey-muhn ]

noun

, Law.

, plural gra·vam·i·na [gr, uh, -, vam, -, uh, -n, uh].

1. the part of an accusation that weighs most heavily against the accused; the substantial part of a charge or complaint.
2. a grievance.

gravamen

/ ɡrəˈveɪmɛn /

noun

1. law that part of an accusation weighing most heavily against an accused
2. law the substance or material grounds of a complaint
3. a rare word for grievance

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravamen¹

1595–1605; < Late Latin: trouble, physical inconvenience, equivalent to Latin gravā ( re ) to load, weigh down (derivative of gravis heavy, burdened) + -men noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravamen¹

C17: from Late Latin: trouble, from Latin gravāre to load, from gravis heavy; see grave ²

Example Sentences

The gravamen of the disqualification attempt is that Willis hired Wade because they were involved romantically, and she wanted to benefit financially from his hourly compensation, which Roman claims is excessive.

From Salon

"They are a sovereign instrumentality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a sitting minister of the Saudi government, and they cannot be compelled to provide testimony and documents in a US proceeding unless their conduct - not LIV's or anyone else's - is truly the 'gravamen' of the case."

From BBC

"They are a sovereign instrumentality of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a sitting minister of the Saudi government, and they cannot be compelled to provide testimony and documents in a US proceeding unless their conduct - not LIV's or anyone else's - is truly the 'gravamen' of the case."

From BBC

The statement of confessional difficulty, sometimes also called a “gravamen,” was needed after the annual synod of the Christian Reformed Church this summer voted to codify its opposition to homosexual sex.

From Washington Post

If they cannot, they will be expected to submit a gravamen to the Professional Status Committee and the Board of Trustees before they are hired.

From Washington Post