Plead (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Pleaded (colloq. Plead (?) or Pled);
p. pr. & vb. n. Pleading.] [OE.
pleden, plaiden, OF. plaidier, F. plaider, fr.
LL. placitare, fr. placitum. See Plea.]
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
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.
Blackstone. Burrill. Stephen.
3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Plead (?), v. t. 1.
To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or
reasons presented to a tribunal or person having uthority to
determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a cause before a
court or jury.
Every man should plead his own
matter.
Sir T. More.
&fist; In this sense, argue is more generally used by
lawyers.
2. To allege or cite in a legal plea or
defense, or for repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment;
as, to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to
plead not guilty. Kent.
3. To allege or adduce in proof, support, or
vendication; to offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be
pleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors.
Spenser.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in
excuse of faults.
Dryden.
