v., plead·ed, or pled (plĕd), plead·ing, pleads. v.intr.
- To appeal earnestly; beg: plead for more time.
- To offer reasons for or against something; argue earnestly: plead against a bill.
- To provide an argument or appeal: Your youth pleads for you in this instance.
- Law.
- To put forward a plea of a specific nature in court: plead guilty.
- To make or answer an allegation in a legal proceeding.
- To address a court as a lawyer or advocate.
- To assert as defense, vindication, or excuse; claim as a plea: plead illness.
- Law.
- To present as an answer to a charge, indictment, or declaration made against one.
- To argue or present (a case) in a court or similar tribunal.
[Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaidier, from Medieval Latin placitāre, to appeal to the law, from Late Latin placitum, decree, opinion. See plea.]
pleadable plead'a·ble adj.pleader plead'er n.
pleadingly plead'ing·ly adv.
USAGE NOTE In strict legal usage, one is said to plead guilty or plead not guilty but not to plead innocent. In nonlegal contexts, however, plead innocent is well established.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
