plead
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to ask for something in a very serious and emotional way because you want it very much.
to make an earnest or urgent entreaty; to implore or beseech someone with emotional intensity.
Simple“The child pleaded with his parents to let him stay up for one more hour.”
In context“The refugees pleaded for mercy, their voices rising in a desperate chorus as the border guards considered their request for asylum.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'with' for the person and 'for' for the thing requested.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to state in a court of law whether you are guilty or not guilty of a crime.
to enter a formal statement in a court of law as a defendant, typically declaring oneself 'guilty' or 'not guilty'.
Simple“The defendant decided to plead guilty to the lesser charge to avoid a longer sentence.”
In context“After consulting with her legal counsel, the suspect chose to plead not guilty, maintaining that the evidence against her was purely circumstantial.”
UsageTakes a direct complement such as 'guilty', 'not guilty', or 'no contest'.
PitfallHe pleaded for not guilty. He pleaded not guilty.In a legal context, you plead 'guilty' or 'not guilty' directly without using 'for'.
- 03 C1 Advanced
to give a specific reason or excuse for why you cannot do something or why you did something wrong.
to offer a specific fact or circumstance as an explanation or excuse for an action or a failure to act.
Simple“He pleaded ignorance of the new rules when the manager confronted him.”
In context“The minister pleaded a prior engagement to avoid attending the controversial debate, though many suspected he simply wanted to avoid the press.”
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'plead ignorance' or 'plead insanity'.
Usage pleads guilty
“He has pleaded not guilty in both cases.”
“He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in both cases.”
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.