plead
/pliːd/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.63 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To present (an argument or a plea), especially in a legal case.
Example Sentences
- "The defendant has decided to plead not guilty."
- "O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!"
- "At the High Court in Aberdeen in September, NR pleaded guilty to a series of failings, including failing to tell the driver that it was unsafe to drive the train at the 75mph line speed."
- "In his state case, Mangione pleaded not guilty to eight felony charges, including second-degree murder and several counts related to criminal possession of a weapon."
- "He pleaded with me not to leave the house."
- "He was pleading for mercy."
Etymology
From Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaider (“to plead, offer a plea”), from plait, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc.", in Classical Latin, "an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placeō (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleitear (“to litigate, take to court”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
Usage
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Law.