(~s)
1.
A ~ is an appeal or request for something, made in an intense or emotional way. (JOURNALISM)
Mr Nicholas made his emotional ~ for help in solving the killing.
= appeal
N-COUNT: oft N for n, N to-inf
2.
In a court of law, a person’s ~ is the answer that they give when they have been charged with a crime, saying whether or not they are guilty of that crime.
The judge questioned him about his guilty ~...
We will enter a ~ of not guilty...
N-COUNT: usu adj N, N of adj
3.
A ~ is a reason which is given, to a court of law or to other people, as an excuse for doing something or for not doing something.
Phillips murdered his wife, but got off on a ~ of insanity...
N-COUNT: usu N of n