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.
Origin: 1200–50;Middle Englishplaiden < Old Frenchplaid(i)er to go to law, plead < early Medieval Latinplacitāre to litigate, derivative of Latinplacitum opinion. See plea
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.