plead
plead Lexical Profile
plead Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To make an emotional or earnest appeal to someone.
"The parents continued to plead with the school board to keep the music program funded."
To state formally in a court of law whether one is guilty or innocent of an alleged offense.
"On the advice of her attorney, the defendant decided to plead not guilty to all charges."
To present and argue in support of a legal case, cause, or position.
"The diplomat traveled to the summit to plead the case for immediate humanitarian aid."
To offer or present a condition or circumstance as an excuse, justification, or defense.
"He tried to plead ignorance of the updated tax regulations when questioned by the auditor."
Word Nuance & Usage
Both 'pleaded' and 'pled' are accepted as past tense and past participle forms, though 'pleaded' is generally preferred in formal and legal writing, especially in British English, while 'pled' is widely used in North American English.
• Rhymes for plead
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French 'pleder', derived from Old French 'plaidier' (to go to law or argue), ultimately from Medieval Latin 'placitare' and Latin 'placitum' (a decree or legal plea).