pli:d v. (past
and past part. pleaded or
esp.
US,
Sc., &
dial. pled) 1 intr. (foll. by with)
make an earnest
appeal to. 2 intr.
Law address a
lawcourt as an
advocate on
behalf of a party. 3 tr.
maintain (a cause) esp. in a lawcourt. 4 tr. Law
declare to be one's
state as regards
guilt in or
responsibility for a
crime (plead
guilty; plead insanity). 5 tr.
offer or
allege as an
excuse (pleaded forgetfulness). 6 intr. make an appeal or
entreaty. øøpleadable adj. pleader n. pleadingly adv. [ME f. AF pleder, OF plaidier (as PLEA)]