plead

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 placere (“to please”).

Pronunciation

Present tense, infinitive

• IPA^(key): /ˈpliːd/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -iːd

Past tense

• IPA^(key): /ˈpliːdəd/
• IPA^(key): /plɛd/ (both pled and plead)

Verb

plead (third-person singular simple present pleads, present participle pleading, simple past and past participle (North America, England) pleaded or (North America, Scotland) pled or (North America) plead)

1. To present an argument, especially in a legal case.

   The defendant has decided to plead not guilty.

   • Bible, Job xvi. 21

     O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

2. To beg, beseech, or implore.

   He pleaded with me not to leave the house.

Further reading

• plead in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• plead in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• plead at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• padel, padle, paled, pedal