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   plead

   /pliːd/

   verb

   • 1. make an emotional appeal: "she pleaded with them not to gag the boy" Similar begentreatbeseechimploreappeal topetitionsupplicateimportunepray torequestask earnestlycall onadjureapply tosolicitrare:obsecrate
   • 2. present and argue for (a position), especially in court or in another public context: "the idea that in public relations work someone is paid to plead a special case is disliked" Similar claimuse as an excuseassertallegearguestatepresentput forward
   • ▪ address a court as an advocate on behalf of a party: "the Constitution prohibits a retired Supreme Court judge from pleading before any court"
   • ▪ state formally in court whether one is guilty or not guilty of the offence with which one is charged: "the youth pleaded guilty to murdering the girl"
   • ▪ invoke (a reason or a point of law) as an accusation or defence: "on trial for attempted murder, she pleaded self-defence"
   • ▪ offer or present as an excuse for doing or not doing something: "he pleaded family commitments as a reason for not attending" Similar claimuse as an excuseassertallegearguestatepresentput forward

   Word Origin Middle English (in the sense ‘to wrangle’): from Old French plaidier ‘go to law’, from plaid ‘discussion’ (see plea).

   Derivatives

   • 1. pleader noun

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • P

     3

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

   • A

     1

   • D

     2

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