Plead v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pleaded (colloq. Plead or Pled); p. pr. & vb. n. Pleading.]
  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 he 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.
  3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.]
  Plead·ing, n. The act of advocating, defending, or supporting, a cause by arguments.
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  pleading
       adj : expressing earnest entreaty; "the appealing and frightened
             look worn by an injured dog"; "she holds out her hand
             for money, importunate, insistent"; "a pleading note in
             her voice" [syn: appealing, imploring, importunate]
       n : (law) a statement in legal and logical form stating
           something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding