GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 2 definitions
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Plead (plēd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleaded (colloq. Plead (plĕd) or 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.”
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O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor! Job xvi. 21.
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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 he 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.
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3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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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”.
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Every man should plead his own matter. Sir T. More.
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☞ In this sense, argue is more generally used by lawyers.
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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.
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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.
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I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in excuse of faults. Dryden.
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