- to appeal or entreat earnestly: to plead for time.
- to use arguments or persuasions, as with a person, for or against something: She pleaded with him not to take the job.
- to afford an argument or appeal: His youth pleads for him.
- Law.
- to make any allegation or plea in an action at law.
- to put forward an answer on the part of a defendant to a legal declaration or charge.
- to address a court as an advocate.
- to prosecute a suit or action at law.
- to allege or urge in defense, justification, or excuse: to plead ignorance.
- Law.
- to maintain (a cause) by argument before a court.
- to allege or set forth (something) formally in an action at law.
- to allege or cite in legal defense: to plead a statute of limitations.
- to appeal earnestly or humbly (to)
- to give as an excuse; offer in justification or extenuation
- to provide an argument or appeal (for)
- to declare oneself to be (guilty or not guilty) in answer to the charge
- to advocate (a case) in a court of law
- (intr) law
- to file pleadings
- to address a court as an advocate
