plead Hear it!

plead Definition

plead (plēd)

intransitive verb plead′ed or pled or pleadpled, plead′·ing

    1. to present a case in a law court; argue the case of either party
    2. to present a plea (sense )
  2. to make an earnest appeal; supplicate; beg to plead for mercy

Etymology: ME pleden < OFr plaidier < plaid: see plea

transitive verb

  1. to discuss or defend (a law case) by argument
  2. to declare oneself to be (guilty or not guilty) in answer to a charge
  3. to offer as an excuse or defense to plead ignorance

plead Related Forms
plead′·able adjective plead′er noun plead′·ingly adverb
plead Synonyms

plead

v.

  1. To beg

    implore, beseech, solicit; see appeal 1, ask 1, beg 1.

  2. To enter a plea

    present, allege, cite; see declare 1.

  3. To discuss in court

    defend, advocate, allege, give evidence, prosecute, argue, debate, answer charges, respond, vouch, avouch, examine, cross-examine, cross-question, question. See syn. study at appeal.appeal.

plead Law Definition

v

To make a plea of “guilty” or “not guilty” in court in response to a criminal charge; to file a pleading; to answer a plaintiff’s common law declaration.
plead Usage Examples

Object

  • insanity: Will you hug him and kiss him, say how much you missed him or plead temporary insanity?
  • ignorance: Some administrators may have pleaded ignorance post A day due to the delay in HM Revenue & Customs getting the Online system working.
  • innocence: Fines are paid on the spot, usually after the driver has pleaded innocence and tried to knock down the cost of the fine.
  • poverty: Who pleaded poverty yet lived surrounded by stolen wealth?
  • contest: On the first, the ferret pleads no contest.
  • necessity: Bringing the case within self-defence: Ward LJ's judgment Ward LJ evaded the bar to pleading necessity in two ways.

Preposition: on

  • behalf: Scraping the bottom of the barrel, he pleads on behalf of the dead crew of space shuttle Columbia.

Preposition: that

  • plaintiff: The defendant pleaded that the plaintiff assaulted him first in his house, and that any damage he received was on this account.

Adjective complement

  • guilty: August 11 th 1863 William Lilley, laborer of Clare pleaded guilty to stealing a tin bottle from William Gosling of Clare.
  • innocent: Would you prefer people to lie and plead innocent?

Modifying Another Word

  • earnestly: I earnestly plead with the Minister and those who advise him to show all hon.
  • guilty: If a young person pleading guilty has previous convictions, they are not subject to the above rules.
  • silently: Oh Grace, she pleaded silently, please don't let us down.
  • urgently: Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
  • desperately: It doesn't end " happy ever after " but rather with the psalmist desperately pleading for help.
  • initially: Ms Botting initially pleaded not guilty to 1871 Dogs Act charges by police.

Preposition: with

  • police: Mrs O'Brien pleaded with the police for her husband to receive medical attention.
  • man: We are but Christ's ambassadors who plead with men to be reconciled to God.

Preposition: for

  • mercy: Believing they are safe, they make no attempt at the trial to justify or to defend themselves or to plead for mercy.
  • help: The regional authorities in the Azores are pleading for help.
plead Quotes

But when I plead, she bids me play my part, And when I weep, she says tears are but water: And when I sigh, she says I know the art, And when I wail, she turns herself to laughter.

—Spenser, Edmund

   Thou art indeed just, Lord, if I contend With thee; but, sir, so what I plead is just. Why do sinners' ways prosper? and why must Disappointment all I endeavour end?

—Hopkins, SirAnthony