What does it mean to allege something?

To allege something means to assert or claim that something is the case, typically without providing proof or evidence at the moment. This term is often used in legal contexts, where one party may allege facts or claims against another party before those claims have been fully substantiated or proven in court. The essence of alleging is in the assertion itself, indicating that the person making the allegation believes it to be true, regardless of whether any corroborating evidence exists at the time of the statement. This is crucial in understanding how allegations are treated in various processes, such as legal proceedings, where the burden of proof lies with the person making the affirmative claim.