Main Entry:
nolo con·ten·de·rePronunciation:
-k&n-'ten-d&-rE, -rAFunction:
nounEtymology: Latin, I do not wish to contend
: a plea by a defendant in a criminal prosecution that without admitting guilt subjects the defendant to conviction as in the case of a guilty plea but that does not bar denial of the truth of the charges in another proceeding (as a civil action based on the same acts) called also
no contest non vult contendere —compare
GUILTY,
NOT GUILTY 1