plead as a defense

  • 1Plead — Plead, v. t. 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. [1913 Webster] Every man should… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2Plead — Plead, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pleaded} (colloq. {Plead}or {Pled}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Pleading}.] [OE. pleden, plaiden, OF. plaidier, F. plaider, fr. LL. placitare, fr. placitum. See {Plea}.] 1. To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3Plead — Plead, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pleaded} (colloq. {Plead}or {Pled}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Pleading}.] [OE. pleden, plaiden, OF. plaidier, F. plaider, fr. LL. placitare, fr. placitum. See {Plea}.] 1. To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 4plead — [plēd] vi. pleaded or pled or plead [pled] pleading [ME pleden < OFr plaidier < plaid: see PLEA] 1. a) to present a case in a law court; argue the case of either party b) to present a PLEA (sense …

    English World dictionary

  • 5plead — [v1] beg, request appeal, ask, beseech, cop a plea*, crave, crawl, entreat, entreaty, implore, importune, make up for, petition, pray, solicit, square things*, supplicate; concept 48 Ant. answer, reply plead [v2] present a defense adduce,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 6plead — [[t]plid[/t]] v. plead•ed pled, plead•ing 1) to appeal or entreat earnestly; beg: to plead for time[/ex] 2) to use arguments or persuasions 3) to afford an argument or appeal: His youth pleads for him[/ex] 4) law a) to make any allegation or plea …

    From formal English to slang

  • 7plead — /pleed/, v., pleaded or pled; pleading. v.i. 1. to appeal or entreat earnestly: to plead for time. 2. to use arguments or persuasions, as with a person, for or against something: She pleaded with him not to take the job. 3. to afford an argument… …

    Universalium

  • 8plead — verb (pleaded or pled; also plead; pleading) Etymology: Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Anglo French plaider, pleder, from plai plea Date: 13th century intransitive verb 1. to argue a case or cause in a court of law 2. a. to make …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 9plead a cause — defend, speak in someone s defense …

    English contemporary dictionary

  • 10plead — To draft and serve or file a pleading, particularly a pleading by defendant. To raise a defense. Farm Bureau Auto. Ins. Co. v Martin, 97 NH 196, 84 A2d 823, 29 ALR2d 811 …

    Ballentine's law dictionary