plead
verb
- state guilt or innocence, give a plea in court, misspelling of plead?, give an answer, reply to charges, usually in court
- beg
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /pliːd/ / /plɛd/
verb
Etymology: From Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaider (“to plead, offer a plea”), from plait, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc.", in Classical Latin, "an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placeō (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleitear (“to litigate, take to court”).
- To present (an argument or a plea), especially in a legal case.
“The defendant has decided to plead not guilty.”
“O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!”
- To beg, beseech, or implore, especially emotionally.
“He pleaded with me not to leave the house.”
“He was pleading for mercy.”
- To offer by way of excuse.
“Not wishing to attend the banquet, I pleaded illness.”
“It is no defence to plead that you were only obeying orders.”
- To discuss by arguments.