Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Plead
Plead
(plēd)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Pleaded
(colloq.
Plead
(plĕd)
or Pled
); p. pr. & vb. n.
Pleading
.] 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 juryEvery 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 ambassadorsSpenser.
I will neither
plead
my age nor sickness, in excuse of faults. Dryden.
Webster 1828 Edition
Plead
PLEAD
,Verb.
I.
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.
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.Definition 2024
plead
plead
English
Verb
plead (third-person singular simple present pleads, present participle pleading, simple past and past participle (North America, England) pleaded or (North America, Scotland) pled or (North America) plead)
- To present an argument, especially in a legal case.
- The defendant has decided to plead not guilty.
- Bible, Job xvi. 21
- O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!
- To beg, beseech, or implore.
- He pleaded with me not to leave the house.
Related terms
Translations
to present an argument
|
to beg