Pleader

plead  (pld)

v. plead·ed or pled (pld), 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.

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[Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaidier, from Medieval Latin placitre, to appeal to the law, from Late Latin placitum, decree, opinion; see plea.]

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pleada·ble adj.

pleader n.

pleading·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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

pleader - a lawyer who pleads cases in court   counsel, counselor-at-law, advocate, counsellor, counselor law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order" attorney, lawyer - a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice