plead (pl d)v. plead·ed or pled (pl  d), plead·ing, pleads v.intr. 1. To appeal earnestly; beg: plead for more time. 2. To offer reasons for or against something; argue earnestly: plead against a bill. 3. To provide an argument or appeal: Your youth pleads for you in this instance. 4. Law a. To put forward a plea of a specific nature in court: plead guilty. b. To make or answer an allegation in a legal proceeding. c. To address a court as a lawyer or advocate. v.tr. 1. To assert as defense, vindication, or excuse; claim as a plea: plead illness. 2. Law a. To present as an answer to a charge, indictment, or declaration made against one. b. To argue or present (a case) in a court or similar tribunal. [Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaidier, from Medieval Latin placit  re, to appeal to the law, from Late Latin placitum, decree, opinion; see plea.]plead  a·ble adj.plead er n.plead ing·ly adv.Usage Note: In strict legal usage, one is said to plead guilty or plead not guilty but not to plead innocent. In nonlegal contexts, however, plead innocent is well established. |
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