Plead v. t. (past & past part. pled or pleaded; pres. part. pleading)
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!"
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 he 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.
3.
To contend; to struggle. (Obs.)
Plead v. t. (past & past part. pled or pleaded; pres. part. pleading)
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." Note: 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.
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. "I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in excuse of faults."
noun
Pleading n. The act of advocating, defending, or supporting, a cause by arguments.
... Jersey, and settled at the saddler's trade in Wheeling, Va., in 1808. With the outlawing of the African slave trade, there was beginning the sale of slaves from Virginia to the Southern cotton-fields, and the sight of the sorrowful exiles moved Lundy's heart to a lifelong devotion of himself to pleading the cause of the slave. Infirm, deaf, unimpressive in speech and bearing, trudging on long journeys, and accepting a decent poverty, he gave all the resources of a strong and sweet nature to the service of the friendless and unhappy. He supported ... — The Negro and the Nation - A History of American Slavery and Enfranchisement • George S. Merriam Read full book for free!
... indignation, attitude erect—for she had started up from her chair—she seemed to be the very impersonation of defiance, angry, but beautiful. No longer meek or supplicating now. Instinct or intuition told her it would be of no use pleading further, and she had made up her mind ... — The Free Lances - A Romance of the Mexican Valley • Mayne Reid Read full book for free!
... and prayed with all her heart; not the self-conscious, special pleading of the prayer across the hall, but the humble prayer of the penitent on Calvary: "Lord, we, of this felon den, ask to be with thee ... — The Entailed Hat - Or, Patty Cannon's Times • George Alfred Townsend Read full book for free!
... Pandemonium—not I. But with my delicatest tints, I'd paint A woman in the glamour of her youth, All garmented with loveliness and mystery! How fair she is! Her beauty glides between Me and my purpose, like a pleading angel. ... — Standard Selections • Various Read full book for free!
... limits where intoxicating drinks were sold was fourteen—eleven saloons and three drug stores). Here, as in every place, they entered singing, every woman taking up the sacred strain as she crossed the threshold. This was followed by the reading of the appeal and prayer, and then earnest pleading to desist from their soul-destroying traffic and to sign the dealers' pledge. Thus, all the day long, going from place to place, without stopping even for dinner or lunch, till five o'clock, meeting with no marked success; ... — Grappling with the Monster • T. S. Arthur Read full book for free!
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