plead

CEFRC1

/pliːd/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To ask strongly for something or state your case in court.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To beg, beseech, or implore, especially emotionally.

Examples

  • I plead you to tell me the truth.

  • The accused man decided to plead not guilty to the charges.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
3
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /plɛd/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To offer by way of excuse.

  2. To present (an argument or a plea), especially in a legal case.

  3. To discuss by arguments.

More examples

In context

  • The man who was arrested for murder asked to plead the fifth.

  • He pleaded with me not to leave the house.

  • The defendant has decided to plead not guilty.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

She had to blank with her parents to let her go to the concert.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaider (“to plead, offer a plea”), from plait, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc.", in Classical Latin, "an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placeō (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleitear (“to litigate, take to court”).