plea

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An urgent, emotional request for help.

   Her plea for forgiveness moved everyone in the room.

2. 2
   noun

   (law) A defendant's formal answer in court, stating whether they are guilty.

   He entered a plea of not guilty.

3. 3
   noun

   An excuse or reason given to justify something.

   He stayed home on the plea of feeling unwell.

From Middle English ple, from Old French plait, plaid, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc., Latin an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placere (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleito (“lawsuit, suit”). Doublet of placit. See also please, pleasure.

Topics