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.]
Pled imp. & p. p. of Plead [Colloq.]
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plead
v 1: appeal or request earnestly; "I pleaded with him to stop"
2: offer as an excuse or plea; "She was pleading insanity"
3: enter a plea, as in courts of law; "She pleaded not guilty"
4: make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding,
especially answer the previous pleading of the other party
by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts
[also: pled]