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Webster 1913 Edition


Plead

Plead

(plēd)
,
Verb.
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.
O that one might
plead
for a man with God, as a man
pleadeth
for his neighbor!
Job xvi. 21.
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.
3.
To contend; to struggle.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Plead

,
Verb.
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
.
Every man should
plead
his own matter.
Sir T. More.
☞ In this sense, argue is more generally used by lawyers.
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.
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.
I will neither
plead
my age nor sickness, in excuse of faults.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition


Plead

PLEAD

,
Verb.
I.
[See Plea.] In a general sense, to argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another.
1.
In law, to present an answer 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. The plaintiff declares or alleges; the defendant pleads to his declaration. The king or the state prosecutes an offender, and the offender pleads not guilty, or confesses the charge.
2.
To urge reasons for or against; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; as, to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead in his favor; to plead with a judge or with a father.
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor! Job.16.
3.
To supplicate with earnestness.
4.
To urge; to press by operating on the passions.
Since you can love,and yet your error see,
The same resistless power may plead for me.

PLEAD

,
Verb.
T.
To discuss, defend and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons offered to the tribunal or person who has the power of determining; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury. In this sense, argue is more generally used by lawyers.
1.
To allege or adduce in proof, support or vindication. The law of nations may be pleaded in favor of the rights of embassadors.
2.
To offer in excuse.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness in excuse of faults.
3.
To allege and offer in a legal plea or defense,or for repelling a demand in law; as, to plead usury; to plead a statute of limitations.
4.
In Scripture, to plead the cause of the righteous, as God, is to avenge or vindicate them against enemies, or to redress their grievances. Is.51.