plea

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

To plead; to argue.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pliː/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: ple

Cognate with Spanish: pleito

In summary

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

appeal

request

entreaty

excuse

pretext

petition

supplication

argument

defense

apology

prayer

justification

reason

order

complaint

pleading

answer

plead

pretence

demand

beg

application

claim

alibi

foundation

defence

ground

ask

debate

motion

solicit

solicitation

statement

suit

suppliance

support

testimony

warning

⚠️

wish

prohibition

earnest request

verbal message

defense team

account

basis,

allegation

argue

arrangement

assertion

basis