— pleadingly , adv. — pleadingness , n.
/plee"ding/ , n.
1. the act of a person who pleads.
2. Law.
a. the advocating of a cause in a court of law.
b. the art or science of setting forth or drawing pleas in legal causes.
c. a formal statement, usually written, setting forth the cause of action or defense of a case.
d. pleadings , the successive statements delivered alternately by plaintiff and defendant until the issue is joined.
[ 1250-1300; ME pledynge (ger.). See PLEAD, -ING 1 ]