Plea
[pliː] or [pli]
Definition
(noun.) an answer indicating why a suit should be dismissed.
(noun.) (law) a defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer).
Edited by Constantine--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) That which is alleged by a party in support of his cause; in a stricter sense, an allegation of fact in a cause, as distinguished from a demurrer; in a still more limited sense, and in modern practice, the defendant's answer to the plaintiff's declaration and demand. That which the plaintiff alleges in his declaration is answered and repelled or justified by the defendant's plea. In chancery practice, a plea is a special answer showing or relying upon one or more things as a cause why the suit should be either dismissed, delayed, or barred. In criminal practice, the plea is the defendant's formal answer to the indictment or information presented against him.
(n.) A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common Pleas. See under Common.
(n.) That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in justification; an excuse; an apology.
(n.) An urgent prayer or entreaty.
Inputed by Allen
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. (Law.) Allegation.[2]. Defence, excuse, apology, justification, vindication.
Typed by Barnaby
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Excuse, vindication, justification, ground, defence, apology, entreaty
ANT:Charge, accusation, impeachment, action
Checked by Emma
Definition
n. the defender's answer to the plaintiff's demand or charge: an excuse: an apology: an action in a court of law: urgent entreaty.
Checked by Cecily
Examples
- He had even yielded to her wish for a long engagement, since she had found the one disarming answer to his plea for haste. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- Without waiting to note the outcome of his plea, he turned and bounded toward me. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- No; I pleaded off, and he admitted my plea. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- I say nothing of his plea for claiming my confidence. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- Innocent as it looks at first sight this plea by Woodrow Wilson is weighted with the tradition of a century and a half. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- On the plea of the man being Cyril Hall's friend and Robert Moore's brother, we'll just tolerate his existence; won't we, Cary? Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- No doubt a sense of this dilemma is partly responsible for Wilson's earnest plea that the question of liquor be left out of the campaign. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- A Plea in the Marshalsea Haggard anxiety and remorse are bad companions to be barred up with. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Venn declined, on the plea of it being too early, and stated that his business was with Miss Vye. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- She had excused herself from the walk on the plea of a headache: the horrid headache which, in the morning, had prevented her venturing to church. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- He knew my society to be--hum--sought, and his plea might be that he regarded me in the light of a public character. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- His urgent plea that the liquor question be kept a local issue may be wise. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Mr. Pumblechook and Mr. Hubble declined, on the plea of a pipe and ladies' society; but Mr. Wopsle said he would go, if Joe would. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Circumstances over which had no control,' was the miserable creature's plea in extenuation. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- My plea of concealing the truth she did not think sufficient. Jane Austen. Emma.
- But no pleas, or threats, or promises of reward could move him. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- I proposed to borrow of Mr Rugg (or of Miss Rugg; it's the same thing; she made a little money by a speculation in the Common Pleas once). Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
Typist: Ruth