- Pled
- Plead 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.
[1913 Webster]
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor! --Job xvi. 21. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
