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plead |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Plead \Plead\, v. t. 1. To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having uthority to determine; to argue at the bar; as to plead a cause before a court or jury. Every man should plead his own matter. --Sir T. More Note: In this sense argue is more generally used by lawyers. 2. To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead not guilty. --Kent. 3. To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vendication; to offer in excuse; as the law of nations may be pleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors. --Spenser. I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in excuse of faults. --Dryden. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Plead \Plead\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pleaded} (colloq. {Plead}or {Pled}); p. pr & vb n. {Pleading}.] [OE. pleden, plaiden, OF plaidier F. plaider, fr LL placitare fr placitum. See {Plea}.] 1. To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to speak by way of persuasion; as to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor! --Job xvi. 21. 2. (Law) To present an answer, by allegation of fact to the declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense to make an allegation of fact in a cause to carry on the allegations of the respective parties in a cause to carry on a suit or plea. --Blackstone. Burrill Stephen. 3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.] --Chaucer. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: plead v 1: appeal or request earnestly; "I pleaded with him to stop" 2: offer as an excuse or plea; "She was pleading insanity" 3: enter a plea, as in courts of law; "She pleaded not guilty" 4: make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, esp. answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts
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