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Plea Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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plea

[pliห ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

legal term

A formal statement by a defendant, stating the reasons for their actions or pleading guilty or not guilty in a criminal case.

Synonyms

assertion, declaration, statement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
plea

Used when someone is asking urgently and sincerely for something, often in a legal context or in urgent personal requests.

  • She made a heartfelt plea for help after the disaster.
  • The defendant entered a plea of not guilty in court.
statement

Used broadly to refer to any form of spoken or written communication that conveys information, opinions, or intentions.

  • The witness gave a statement to the police about the incident.
  • Her statement on the matter was clear and concise.
declaration

Typically used when someone is announcing something formally or officially, often in legal, political, or formal contexts.

  • The government made a declaration of emergency after the hurricane.
  • The companyโ€™s declaration of profits was well-received by investors.
assertion

Often used when someone is confidently stating something they believe to be true, usually to make a point or argument.

  • His assertion that climate change is real was backed by extensive research.
  • She made an assertion of innocence despite the evidence.

Examples of usage

  • The defendant entered a plea of not guilty.
  • The plea bargain was accepted by the court.
Context #2 | Noun

emotional appeal

An earnest request or entreaty; a heartfelt appeal.

Synonyms

appeal, petition, request.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
plea

A plea is often used in legal settings where someone is asking for mercy or making an earnest appeal.

  • The criminal made a plea for leniency from the judge.
  • She made a desperate plea for help when she got lost.
appeal

Appeal is commonly used when someone is asking for a higher authority to reconsider a decision, or when making an urgent emotional request.

  • The lawyer filed an appeal to overturn the conviction.
  • The charity made an appeal for donations to help the earthquake victims.
request

Request is a general term used in everyday situations when asking for something politely.

  • She sent a request for more information about the job opening.
  • He made a request to speak with the manager.
petition

Petition is usually used when a formal written request is made to an authority or organization, typically signed by multiple people.

  • The community submitted a petition to the local council to improve the park.
  • They gathered signatures for a petition to change the new law.

Examples of usage

  • She made a plea for help.
  • Their pleas for forgiveness fell on deaf ears.
Context #3 | Verb

begging

To make an emotional appeal or request earnestly.

Synonyms

beg, beseech, implore.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
plea

This is commonly used in legal contexts or formal requests, often to make a serious or emotional appeal.

  • The prisoner made a plea for mercy.
  • Her plea for help did not go unnoticed.
beg

This is often used in everyday situations to ask for something desperately or humbly. It can sometimes carry a negative or desperate connotation.

  • He begged for forgiveness.
  • She begged her parents for more time.
implore

Implore is often used to describe earnest and intense requests, typically when someone is in a desperate or urgent situation.

  • He implored her to stay.
  • The villagers implored for rain during the drought.
beseech

This word is more formal and literary, typically used to imply a more urgent and heartfelt request.

  • I beseech you to listen to my plea.
  • They beseeched the king for aid.

Examples of usage

  • He pleaded with her to forgive him.
  • The dog looked at him pleadingly for a treat.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In court, a plea is a formal statement made by a defendant, declaring their innocence or guilt.
  • There are different types of pleas such as 'guilty', 'not guilty', and 'no contest', each carrying different implications.
  • A 'plea bargain' occurs when a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge, often reducing their sentence.

Psychology

  • Making a plea often involves an emotional appeal, tapping into feelings to persuade others.
  • Research shows that emotional pleas can be more effective than factual arguments in influencing decisions.
  • The ability to craft an appealing plea is linked to persuasive communication skills, important in social interactions.

Culture

  • In literature and drama, characters often make pleas that reveal their deepest desires and vulnerabilities.
  • Songs frequently include pleas within their lyrics, conveying emotions such as longing or desperation.
  • Cultural narratives often explore themes of pleading for justice or understanding, showcasing human connections.

Pop Culture

  • Movies frequently depict intense plea scenes, emphasizing the characters' desperation and emotional state.
  • Famous lines from films and books often capture pleas that resonate with audiences, becoming iconic.
  • Social media campaigns sometimes utilize pleas to rally support for causes, showcasing community solidarity.

Origin of 'plea'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originated from the Old French 'plee', which means 'to plead or to appeal'.
  • It has roots in Latin 'placitum', meaning 'something pleasing or approved', highlighting its aim to win approval.
  • The transition from legal contexts to everyday use began in the 15th century.

The word 'plea' originated from the Middle English word 'plee', which came from the Anglo-French 'pleit', meaning 'lawsuit'. The term evolved over time to refer to a formal statement in legal contexts or an emotional appeal in general usage.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,271, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.