Main Entry:

plea

Pronunciation:

\ˈplē\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English ple, plede, from Anglo-French plai, pleit from Medieval Latin placitum, from Latin, decision, decree, from neuter of placitus, past participle of placēre to please, be decided — more at please

Date:

13th century

1: a legal suit or action2: an allegation made by a party in support of a cause: as a: an allegation of fact — compare demurrer b (1): a defendant's answer to a plaintiff's declaration in common-law practice (2): an accused person's answer to a charge or indictment in criminal practice c: a plea of guilty to an indictment 3: something offered by way of excuse or justification <left early with the plea of a headache>4: an earnest entreaty : appeal <their plea for understanding must be answered>

synonyms see apology