plea

/pli:/

Thân thiện

The defendant entered a plea of not guilty in the courtroom.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal statement by or on behalf of a defendant in a legal case: In law, a "plea" is the defendant's official response to the charges, such as "guilty" or "not guilty."
   • An earnest or urgent request: A "plea" is a serious and emotional appeal for help, understanding, or mercy.
   • A reason or excuse given to justify a fault or action: A "plea" can be an argument or explanation offered to defend one's behavior.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Legal):
  • The defendant entered a plea of not guilty.
  • His lawyer prepared a strong plea for dismissal of the case.
• Noun (Earnest Request):
  • She made a heartfelt plea for donations to the charity.
  • The organization issued a plea for volunteers after the disaster.
• Noun (Reason/Excuse):
  • He declined the invitation on the plea of a prior engagement.

Advanced Usage

• To make a plea for something: To formally or emotionally request something.
  • The activist made a passionate plea for climate justice.
• A plea bargain: A legal agreement where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
  • The prosecutor offered a plea bargain to avoid a lengthy trial.

Variants and Related Words

• Plead (verb): To make an earnest appeal or to state one's case in a legal context.
  • He will plead for mercy.
  • She decided to plead not guilty.
• Pleading (noun/adjective): The action of making an earnest request; or relating to such a request.
  • She gave him a pleading look.
• Pleader (noun): One who pleads, especially a lawyer.

Synonyms

• Appeal: A serious or urgent request.
• Entreaty: An earnest or humble request.
• Petition: A formal written request.
• Excuse: A reason or explanation given to justify a fault.

Related Phrases

• Cry of "no contest" (nolo contendere): A legal plea where the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment.
• Plea in abatement: A legal plea objecting to the time, place, or method of the lawsuit but not to the facts.

Related Idioms

• A plea for help: A desperate request for assistance.
  • The letter was clearly a plea for help.
• To fall on deaf ears (often used with a plea): To be ignored.
  • Her plea for understanding fell on deaf ears.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an answer indicating why a suit should be dismissed
2. (law) a defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer)
3. a humble request for help from someone in authority

Từ đồng nghĩa

• supplication