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Definitions for: Plead
[v] appeal or request earnestly; "I pleaded with him to stop"
[v] enter a plea, as in courts of law; "She pleaded not guilty"
[v] offer as an excuse or plea; "She was pleading insanity"
[v] make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, esp. answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts
Webster (1913) Definition: Plead, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleaded (colloq. Pleador
Pled); p. pr. & vb. n. Pleading.] [OE. pleden, plaiden,
OF. plaidier, F. plaider, fr. LL. placitare, fr. placitum.
See Plea.]
1. To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the
claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing;
to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to
speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a
criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father.
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man
pleadeth for his neighbor! --Job xvi. 21.
2. (Law) To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the
declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's
declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that
ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense,
to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the
allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry
on a suit or plea. --Blackstone. Burrill. Stephen.
3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Plead, v. t.
1. To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments
or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having
uthority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a
cause before a court or jury.
Every man should plead his own matter. --Sir T.
More.
Note: In this sense, argue is more generally used by lawyers.
2. To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for
repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as,
to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead
not guilty. --Kent.
3. To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vendication; to
offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in
favor of the rights of ambassadors. --Spenser.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in excuse
of faults. --Dryden.
See Also: adjure, allege, apologise, apologize, appeal, aver, beg, beseech, bid, conjure, declare, demur, entreat, excuse, implore, invoke, justify, pray, press, rationalise, rationalize, say
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