pleads - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

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pleads

|pleads|

/pliːd/

(plead)

emotional appeal or legal argument

Base Form	Plural	Plural	3rd Person Sing.	Past	Past	Past Participle	Past Participle	Present Participle	Noun	Noun
plead	pleaders	pleadings	pleads	pled	pleaded	pled	pleaded	pleading	pleadings	pleading

Etymology

Etymology Information

'plead' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'plaider', where 'plaider' meant 'to argue (a case)'.

Historical Evolution

'plead' changed from Old French 'plaider' into Middle English forms such as 'pleden' or 'pleiden', and eventually became the modern English word 'plead'.

Meaning Changes

Initially it meant 'to argue a case in court', but over time it also came to mean 'to beg or make an urgent appeal'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

to state formally in a court of law whether one is guilty or not (to enter a plea).

He pleads not guilty to all charges.

Synonyms

enter a pleaclaim

Antonyms

confess plead guilty

Verb 2

to make an urgent or emotional appeal or request (to beg).

She pleads for help when the accident occurs.

Synonyms

beg implore beseech

Antonyms

refuse deny

Verb 3

to argue or present reasons in support of something (to put forward as a defense or explanation).

He pleads ignorance as his defense.

Synonyms

argue assert maintain

Antonyms

Examples

Idioms

plead guilty plead not guilty plead with

Last updated: 2025/12/19 20:35