Pleadable

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.