v.
Pronunciation: ' pl ē d
Function: verb
Inflected Form: plead · ed \ ' pl ē -d ə d \ or pled also plead \ ' pled \ ; plead · ing
Etymology: Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Anglo-French plaider, pleder, from plai plea
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1 : to argue a case or cause in a court of law
2 a : to make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding especially : to answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts b : to conduct pleadings
3 : to make a plea of a specified nature < plead not guilty>
4 a : to argue for or against a claim b : to entreat or appeal earnestly
transitive verb
1 : to maintain (as a case or cause) in a court of law or other tribunal
2 : to allege in or by way of a legal plea
3 : to offer as a plea usually in defense, apology, or excuse
– plead · able \ ' pl ē -d ə -b ə l \ adjective
– plead · er noun
– plead · ing · ly \ ' pl ē -di ŋ -l ē \ adverb