1. An earnest request; an appeal: spoke out in a plea for greater tolerance.2. An excuse; a pretext: “necessity,/The Tyrant's plea” (John Milton). 3.Lawa. An allegation offered in pleading a case. b. A defendant's answer to the declaration made by the plaintiff in a civil action. c. The answer of the accused to a criminal charge or indictment: entered a plea of not guilty.d. A special answer depending on or demonstrating one or more reasons why a suit should be delayed, dismissed, or barred in equity law. e. An action or suit.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English plai, lawsuit, from Old French plai, plaid, from Late Latin placitum, decree, from Latin, from neuter past participle of placre, to please. See plk-1 in Appendix I.
pl
k-1 in Appendix I.
