- an appeal or entreaty: a plea for mercy.
- something that is alleged, urged, or pleaded in defense or justification.
- an excuse; pretext: He begged off on the plea that his car wasn't working.
- Law.
- an allegation made by, or on behalf of, a party to a legal suit, in support of their claim or defense.
- a defendant's answer to a legal declaration or charge.
- (in courts of equity) a plea that admits the truth of the declaration, but alleges special or new matter in avoidance.
- a suit or action.
- an earnest entreaty or request
- something alleged or pleaded by or on behalf of a party to legal proceedings in support of his claim or defence
- the answer made by an accused to the charge
- (in Scotland and formerly in England) a suit or action at law
- an excuse, justification, or pretext
