plead

English

Etymology

From Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaider (“to plead, offer a plea”), from plait, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc.", in Classical Latin, "an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placeō (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleitear (“to litigate, take to court”).

Pronunciation
Present tense, infinitive
  • IPA(key): /ˈpliːd/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -iːd
Past tense
  • IPA(key): /ˈpliːdəd/
  • IPA(key): /plɛd/ (both pled and plead)

Verb

plead (third-person singular simple present pleads, present participle pleading, simple past and past participle (North America, England, legal) pleaded or (North America, Scotland) pled or (North America) plead)

  1. (transitive, intransitive, copulative) To present (an argument or a plea), especially in a legal case.
    The defendant has decided to plead not guilty.
  2. (intransitive) To beg, beseech, or implore, especially emotionally.
    Synonyms: appeal, ask, beg, request
    He pleaded with me not to leave the house.
    He was pleading for mercy.
  3. (transitive) To offer by way of excuse.
    Synonyms: allege, claim, maintain
    Not wishing to attend the banquet, I pleaded illness.
    It is no defence to plead that you were only obeying orders.
  4. (transitive) To discuss by arguments.

Translations

Further reading

Anagrams
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