1. (p. p.) of Plead.

2. (v. t.) 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.

3. (v. t.) 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 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.

4. (v. t.) To contend; to struggle.

5. (v. t.) To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having authority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury.

6. (v. t.) 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.

7. (v. t.) To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vindication; to offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors.

adduce adjure advance advocate affirm allege appeal appeal to apply to argue argufy array ask ask for assert aver avow bandy words beg beseech bicker blandish brace bring forward bring on bring to bear cajole call for help call on call upon cavil choplogic clamor for coax conduct pleadings conjure contend contest crave cross swords cry for cry on cry to cut and thrust declare demand deploy discept dispute entreat exhort give and take hassle have it out high-pressure impetrate implead implore importune imprecate insist insist upon invoke jawbone join issue kneel to lobby lock horns logomachize maintain make a plea marshal moot nag obtest offer petition pettifog plead for plead with polemicize polemize pray present press pressure produce push put forward quibble rally recommend request rest run to say seek soft-soap solicit spar supplicate swear sweet-talk take sides thrash out try conclusions urge wheedle work on wrangle