Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - pleading

 noun  Date: 14th century  1. advocacy of a cause in a court of law  2.  a. one of the formal usually written allegations and counter allegations made alternately by the parties in a legal action or proceeding  b. the action or process performed by the parties in presenting such formal allegations until a single point at issue is produced  c. the introduction of one of these allegations and especially the first one  d. the body of rules according to which these allegations are framed  3. the act or an instance of making a plea  4. a sincere entreaty