plead
Use Plead in a sentence
verb (used without object)
1.
to appeal or entreat earnestly: to plead for time.
2.
to use arguments or persuasions, as with a person, for or against something: She pleaded with him not to take the job.
3.
to afford an argument or appeal: His youth pleads for him.
4.
Law.
a.
to make any allegation or plea in an action at law.
b.
to put forward an answer on the part of a defendant to a legal declaration or charge.
c.
to address a court as an advocate.
d.
Obsolete. to prosecute a suit or action at law.
verb (used with object)
5.
to allege or urge in defense, justification, or excuse: to plead ignorance.
6.
Law.
a.
to maintain (a cause) by argument before a court.
b.
to allege or set forth (something) formally in an action at law.
c.
to allege or cite in legal defense: to plead a statute of limitations.
00:10
Plead
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
Origin:
1200–50; Middle English plaiden < Old French plaid(i)er to go to law, plead < early Medieval Latin placitāre to litigate, derivative of Latin placitum opinion. See plea
1200–50; Middle English plaiden < Old French plaid(i)er to go to law, plead < early Medieval Latin placitāre to litigate, derivative of Latin placitum opinion. See plea
Related forms
re·plead, verb, re·plead·ed, re·plead·ing.
un·plead·ed, adjective
Synonyms
1. beg, supplicate. 2. reason. 5. claim.
1. beg, supplicate. 2. reason. 5. claim.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To plead
Collins
World English Dictionary
plead (pliːd) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 1. | to appeal earnestly or humbly (to) |
| 2. | (tr; may take a clause as object) to give as an excuse; offer in justification or extenuation: to plead ignorance; he pleaded that he was insane |
| 3. | to provide an argument or appeal (for): her beauty pleads for her |
| 4. | law to declare oneself to be (guilty or not guilty) in answer to the charge |
| 5. | law to advocate (a case) in a court of law |
| 6. | (intr) law |
| a. to file pleadings | |
| b. to address a court as an advocate | |
| [C13: from Old French plaidier, from Medieval Latin placitāre to have a lawsuit, from Latin placēre to please; see | |
| 'pleadable | |
| —adj | |
| 'pleader | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
plead
mid-13c., "make a plea in court," from Anglo-Fr. pleder, O.Fr. pleider, plaidier, "agreement, discussion, lawsuit," from M.L. placitare, from L.L. placitum (see plea). Sense of "request, beg" first recorded late 14c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Example sentences
It is true that defense counsel usually end up advising clients to plead guilty.
First, they could plead poverty and demand easier terms in future.
Married couple plead guilty in big insider-trading ring.
North refused to plead guilty to anything and as a result was indicted on twelve counts.
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
