Definition of PLEA

plea

Plural: pleas

Noun

  • An earnest request or appeal; an urgent entreaty.
  • a humble request for help from someone in authority
  • (law) a defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer)
  • an answer indicating why a suit should be dismissed
  • An appeal, petition, urgent prayer or entreaty.
  • An excuse; an apology.
  • That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification.
  • That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause.
  • An allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer.
  • The defendant’s answer to the plaintiff’s declaration and demand.
  • A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas.

Verb

  • To plead; to argue.

Examples

  • a plea for mercy
  • He made a plea for an extra minute on the Words With Friends timer, but it was denied.
  • make a plea

Origin / Etymology

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.

Scrabble Score: 6

plea: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
plea: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
plea: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

plea: valid Words With Friends Word