Main Entry: plead

Pronunciation: \ˈplēd\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): plead·ed \ˈplē-dəd\ or pled also plead \ˈpled\; plead·ing

Etymology: Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Anglo-French plaider, pleder, from plai plea

Date: 13th century

intransitive verb 1 : to argue a case or cause in a court of law
2 a : to make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding; especially : to answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts b : to conduct pleadings
3 : to make a plea of a specified nature <plead not guilty>
4 a : to argue for or against a claim b : to entreat or appeal earnestlytransitive verb 1 : to maintain (as a case or cause) in a court of law or other tribunal
2 : to allege in or by way of a legal plea
3 : to offer as a plea usually in defense, apology, or excuse

— plead·able \ˈplē-də-bəl\ adjective

— plead·er noun

— plead·ing·ly \ˈplē-diŋ-lē\ adverb