gravamen
Crux of accusation
Gravamen is the essential part of a grievance or complaint—the core allegation that gives it weight.
In legal contexts, it refers to the most serious or substantial element of a charge or accusation, the part that would cause real harm if proven true.
The gravamen of her lawsuit was not the insult itself but the resulting loss of business.
The plural may be gravamens or the Latin gravamina.
Assertion lacking proof
- complaintExpression of discontent
- chargeCost or accusation
- pleadingUrgent heartfelt request
- cause of actionLegal grounds for lawsuit
indictment · accusation · plaintiff · defendant · tort · claim · petition · brief
Most important point
- gistCentral meaning distilled
- substancePhysical material with mass
- pithCore or crux
- kernelSeed or essential core
heart · nucleus · core · nub · basis · fundamental · root · quintessence
Expression of discontent
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
objection · protest · accusation · affront · violation · oppression · exploitation · misdeed
Measure of heaviness
- onusResponsibility one bears
- encumbranceHindrance or legal claim
- loadCarried weight or burden
- heavinessState of being weighty
strain · obligation · responsibility · liability · hardship · yoke · millstone · impediment
allegation
Assertion lacking proof
cause of action · indictment · accusation · plaintiff · defendant · tort · claim · petition · brief · litigation
crux
Most important point
kernel · heart · nucleus · core · nub · basis · fundamental · root · quintessence · keystone
complaint
Expression of discontent
- injusticeDenial of fair treatment
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
- unfairnessUnjust or biased treatment
inequity · objection · protest · accusation · affront · violation · oppression · exploitation · misdeed · harm
weight
Measure of heaviness
- onusResponsibility one bears
- encumbranceHindrance or legal claim
- loadCarried weight or burden
heaviness · strain · obligation · responsibility · liability · hardship · yoke · millstone · impediment · handicap
gravamenperiphery
Boundary or outer region
incidentals · trivialities · minutiae · side issues · minor points
gravamentechnicalities
Small procedural details
formalities · boilerplate · window dressing · externals · trappings
grave, gravity, aggravate, aggregate, aggravation, aggravating, aggravated, aggregation, aggregated