English Explanatory Dictionary

plea

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An appeal, petition, urgent prayer or entreaty.
  2. An excuse; an apology.
  3. That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification.
  4. That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause.
  5. An allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer.
  6. The defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s declaration and demand.
  7. A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas.
verb
  1. To plead; to argue.

Pronunciation

/pliː/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-plea.wav

Word forms

plea pleas pleaing pleaed

Etymology

From Middle English ple, from Old French plait, plaid, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc., Latin an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placere (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleito (“lawsuit, suit”). Doublet of placit. See also please, pleasure.

Synonyms

plaidoyer

Related words

plead pleasant please pleasurable pleasure

Derived words

Alford plea cop a plea counterplea declinatory plea interplea Kennedy plea plea-bargain plea bargain plea bargaining plea deal plea in abatement plea of the crown pleas of the crown West plea
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