something that is alleged, urged, or pleaded in defense or justification.
an excuse; pretext: He begged off on the plea that his car wasn't working.
Law.
an allegation made by, or on behalf of, a party to a legal suit, in support of his or her claim or defense.
a defendant's answer to a legal declaration or charge.
(in courts of equity) a plea that admits the truth of the declaration, but alleges special or new matter in avoidance.
Obsolete.a suit or action.
Idioms for plea
cop a plea, Slang. cop1 (def. 5b).
Origin of plea
1175–1225; Middle English ple, earlier plaid<Old French <early Medieval Latin placitum law-court, suit, decision, decree, Latin: opinion (literally, that which is pleasing or agreeable), noun use of neuter of past participle of placēre to please
A couple of years later, she was charged with larceny in a separate case from the first shoplifting incident and was offered a plea deal.
A woman in ICE detention says her fallopian tube was removed without her consent|Nicole Narea|September 17, 2020|Vox
Following pleas from their governments, tourists from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia will also be able to enter Hungary if they had already booked a holiday there.
As Europe’s COVID-19 numbers rise, Hungary becomes first EU country to reimpose blanket border restrictions|David Meyer|September 1, 2020|Fortune
In their pleas, they said that without government support, their restaurants would close for good.
Is the Government Just Going to Watch the Restaurant Industry Die?|Elazar Sontag|August 28, 2020|Eater
Unlike most plea agreements, in which the judge remains free to decide the defendant’s sentence, Loughlin’s and Giannulli’s proposed prison terms were binding once accepted.
Lori Loughlin gets two months in prison after judge accepts plea deal in college bribery scandal|radmarya|August 21, 2020|Fortune
As a result, California in 2014 became the first state to ban the plea.
Harris as VP pick brings diversity, LGBTQ ally to Biden ticket|Chris Johnson|August 11, 2020|Washington Blade
He later accepted a plea deal that put him behind bars for 25 years.
An Informant, a Missing American, and Juarez’s House of Death: Inside the 12-Year Cold Case of David Castro|Bill Conroy|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Schettino also tried to enter a plea bargain agreement, which ultimately was rejected by the Grosseto court.
The Costa Concordia’s Randy Reckless Captain Takes the Stand|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The mother also made a plea to the violent ones who wreak such havoc.
11 Children Shot in Milwaukee, One in Her Grandpa's Lap|Michael Daly|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, Kolko received a plea deal that allowed him to plea guilty to child endangerment.
The Orthodox Sex Abuse Crackdown That Wasn’t|Emily Shire|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He plead guilty in a plea deal and was punished only with five years of probation.
The Orthodox Sex Abuse Crackdown That Wasn’t|Emily Shire|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"It was your plea for me that give me the chance, Mr. Dewey," said Ben.
Ben's Nugget|Horatio, Jr. Alger
He forbore again to urge any plea for himself, and once more she was obliged to interfere in his behalf.
Dr. Breen's Practice|William Dean Howells
The Southern plea, if it is to be made effective, must be presented in a book.
The Color Line|William Benjamin Smith
His plea was ill-health, and the King granted his prayer, appointing in 1688 Saint Vallier as his successor.
The Canadian Portrait Gallery Volume 3|John Charles Dent
Solicitor rise and say: 'Please your honor, de 'fendant, Lindsey, put in a plea of guilty.'
Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves|Work Projects Administration
British Dictionary definitions for plea
plea
/ (pliː) /
noun
an earnest entreaty or requesta plea for help
lawsomething alleged or pleaded by or on behalf of a party to legal proceedings in support of his claim or defence
criminal lawthe answer made by an accused to the chargea plea of guilty
(in Scotland and formerly in England) a suit or action at law
an excuse, justification, or pretexthe gave the plea of a previous engagement
Word Origin for plea
C13: from Anglo-Norman plai, from Old French plaid lawsuit, from Medieval Latin placitum court order (literally: what is pleasing), from Latin placēre to please