plea
/pli:/
Definition
- 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.
Noun
-
an answer indicating why a suit should be dismissed
-
(law) a defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer)
-
a humble request for help from someone in authority
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